-Review- Hilltop Hoods - The Hard Road

Hilltop Hoods
www.myspace.com/hilltophoods
Label: Obese Records
From: Adelaide, AU
The Hard Road
Release Date: 4/6/06





Track Listing:

1. Recapturing The Vibe
2. Clown Prince
3. The Hard Road
4. Stopping All Stations
5. Conversations From A Speakeasy
6. What A Great Intro
7. What A Great Night
8. City Of Light
9. Obese Lowlifes
10. Circuit Breaker
11. Breathe
12. Blue Blooded
13. Monsters Ball
14. An Audience With The Devil
15. Captured The Vibe

You may never have heard of Hilltop Hoods here in the US but you will. Their previous album "The Callng" was certified platinum in Australia. This album was certified platinum a month after its release and debuted at number 1 on the Australian charts (Their equivalent of Billboard). Which they made history as the first Australian hip hop group to debut at number 1. You will see why people overseas are rocking out and bangin to this CD.

From The opening song "Recapturing The Vibe" to the ender "Captured The Vibe", the beats on the album are all great and diverse. Th first single "Clown Prince" has a 70's porn beat with a chorus mixed with a Notorious BIG's sample. Some songs are more diverse than others.

The song "Conversations From A Speakeasy" has a jazz influenced beat that will bring up memories of Louis Armstrong. "The Hard Road" is a more serious song that shows the lyrical content of the group regarding their troubled past. There's really no fillers on this album. Any fan of hip hop will find something on this album that they will like.

Verdict -
If you like hip hop, check out Hilltop Hoods. They're coming to the US to tour this summer. This group has what it takes to hit it big here in the US. It's refreshing to know that there's hip hop groups like this still out there. The US needs hip hop like this.

Sounds like:
Gang Starr, Jedi Mind Tricks

Standout Tracks-
"Recapturing The Vibe"
"The Hard Road"
"City Of Light"
"Monsters Ball"

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-Interview- Heartshed 3/14/07

Heartshed
(Unsigned)
Interviewed on: 3/14/07
www.myspace.com/heartshed



1. What are your names and roles in the band?

Band-
Luke-Drums, Zack-Bass/Vocals, Jordan-Guitar/Vocals, and Dryw-Guitar/Vocals. Some of these roles (not members) may be modified when writing our new EP, as we are experimenting with keys, sequencing, etc.


2. How and when did the band form?

Band-
Heartshed has existed for about 5 years under various names and styles. Heartshed, however, has only been a serious band for a little under two years. The band formed between Luke, Zack, and two other members, and eventually matured into what it is now, with Jordan and Dryw.


3. How's the new record comin? When can we expect it?

Band-
We are VERY excited for the new record! We are having a lot of fun writing it, as it is like nothing we have ever written. We are shooting to have it finished late spring/early summer.


4. The sound off of the demo "Dreamer" is a little different direction than your previous album; would you say that's a fair judgment?

Band-
I would. We are pretty tired of the stuff off our old EP and feel like we are now writing music we really enjoy. The other songs are even more different!


5. What was your favorite show to play? What happened that made it so enjoyable?

Band-
That's a tough one. We recently played in Las Vegas at the University Theater, and that was very fun. It wasn't a tour, yet it was far from home which made it like a road trip!


6. I saw you're hooked up with Ethos Entertainment, how did that come about?

Band-
We have been friends with Ken and Kennen for some time and had been playing at their venue regularly... I can’t quite recall when, but a little over a year ago, we decided it would make sense to work together.


7. What's your favorite song to play live? Whys that?

Band-
The new songs we are playing live right now are called "Dreamer," and "Escapist." It would be one of those, hands down. We have a lot more playing those songs because we feel they represent us better.


8. When people see that you're a Christian band, does that ever deter people from you at all you think?

Band-
That depends on what you mean by a Christian band. We are all Christians, and I'm not sure what I would say to anyone who would refuse to listen to us on those grounds. I don't think our beliefs keep anyone from listening to our music. If that is not the case, I would be surprised.


9. If you could tour with any three bands, what would they be? Have you played with any national acts at all?

Band-
Our dream tour would probably be with Thrice, As Cities Burn, and The Receiving End of Sirens if we only had three bands to choose. That is a tough call, though. As far as National Acts go, we have played with many. Chiodos, Scary Kids, Still Remains, and It Dies Today are only a few that immediately come to mind.


10. What does the future hold for Heartshed?

Band-
All we hope for is good music, and people who will enjoy it.


11. Any shoutouts?

Band-
Anyone who listens to us. Anyone at all. We love you.

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-Review- Heartshed - The Emphatic Fall EP

Heartshed
www.myspace.com/heartshed
Label: Unsigned
From: Sacramento, CA
The Emphatic Fall EP
Release Date: 10/16/06





Track Listing:

1. The Painful Transition From A Child To A Butterfly
2. I'll Take Hypsocisy For 1000
3. Reliving Regret
4. Seclusion Failure
5. Providence Still At Large
6. To Rest In Interlude

Being from California doesn't hurt a band. With all that is around you, your band can really make a name for themselves. It can be used to your advantage. Heartshed is a band from Sacramento that is on the rise.

Their style of music is I'm sure something that you've heard before. But dang do they play it good. From the opening song "The Painful Transition From A Child To A Butterfly" to the ending, they never let up. Electronics adds an element to the band reminiscent of Underoath or even Nevea Tears. Some songs will sure make you wanna dance. The last song on the EP, "To Rest In Interlude" is an instrumental song that closes out a pretty damn good effort from an up and coming band.

Verdict -
Emocore and Screamo have been big for a little while now and that's not a bad thing. Heartshed play the style of music very good. If you're into the genre at all, check them out.

Sounds like:
Old Underoath, Nevea Tears

Standout Tracks-
"I'll Take Hypocrisy For 1000"
"Providence Still At Large"

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