Wednesday, September 2, 2009

UP.RIVER. REVIEW FROM SLUG MAGAZINE


From SLUG --
Up.River
Self-Titled
Old News Records
Street:
Up.River = Clear + The Acacia Strain + Terror
Apparently, Old News Records has been started in order to either release or re-release recordings, primarily from Salt Lake-based hardcore bands, that were either initially released in small quantities, or never released at all. Not a bad idea. Up.River’s self-titled album, although not necessarily my cup of tea, is certainly deserving of a listen, even if it’s nothing very original. It’s still too new to sound dated, having been recorded in 2005, but it’s also, for the most part, pretty standard Salt Lake City metalcore. The lads know how to write a song for sure, and they keep it interesting throughout by adding time changes and better-than-average slow bits. But in the end, this release isn’t something that I can envision myself listening to at any point down the road. By all means, check it out and support the idea behind Old News Records, but don’t expect anything groundbreaking. –Gavin Hoffman

10 comments:

Big Mike said...

Clear + The Acacia Strain + Terror??

What a fucking moron.

This guy sounds like he knows as much about music as that Chris Carter loser that used to write for SLUG. Fuck.

xbrooklynx said...

Yeah but if you drop a Clear reference you always get big points...


if i were to review a clear cd i would say

XclearX + VOD + Sean Mclarity= Clear


ps i thought "the sickness must end" EP was good as FUUUCCK and still do.

joshlambert said...

"it’s nothing very original"...up river has to be one of the most original and unique bands around at the time, regardless of whether someone likes them or not that has to be acknowledged.

Xjason oharaX said...

I would have to agree with Brook. Those guys are total boners but they had some pretty good music.

XfirestormX said...

Hmmmmmm I wonder if the slug guy was skateboarding while reviewing this and then he fell on his head. Acacia Strain????!!!!???? Terror?????!!!!??? I wonder if he ever heard either of those bands or if he just googled Hardcore and took the first two names he saw. Upriver in no way has anything in common with either of those bands. That would be like reviewing Yanni and saying, "man that guy just sounds like he listened to Napalm Death and Anal Cunt then ripped them off." God I hate hipsters.

xbeeganx said...

i would have to say they are more like hatebreed+counting crows+slapshot and come on guys xclearx was a whole lot of alright a crappy vod + sell out fags + overrated = me bored waiting for lifeless to play at most of their shows

nathan briscoe said...

fuck

spenserprufrock said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
spenserprufrock said...

The guy who wrote this plays in the band INVDRS with a guy from Clear. Maybe he is dropping the name in his reviews to prepare us for a new Clear release...and let me add, Clear sucks big time. Big. Time.

xjoe jacksonx said...

I bought the Upriver cd from my friend the day of Xibalba played Uprok. I have to say, I love it! It's pissed and strange in the best sense of the word.

Is it possible for a psuedo music critic to critique without trying to name drop or appeal to the masses. Upriver does, in my opinion undertones of previous hardcore bands but, Acacia Strain? Terror? Not at all. If hardcore is not your cup of tea don't write a review of a hardcore album