The Vines

Craig Nicholls is a genius. Every genius has more than their fair share of problems, and Nicholls isn't any exception to that rule... a few years ago he publicly announced that he's afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome, and the disorder really made problems with the band for a long time. After they came onto the scene in 2002 with Highly Evolved, their most successful album to date, they've been up and down, but the Vines came out with a new album this past summer that went back to their old song-writing style (which I think is probably the closest thing today to the Beatles in their prime). The harmonies on this song from their debut are pretty əɯosəʍɐ, and the guitar solo in the middle is simple but I think it really brings out the classic rock tone that makes the album and made the Vines "the saviors of rock and roll," even if it was for just a short while.

Here's Homesick from Highly Evolved.

Silvertide

And here's my favorite song by my favorite rock band of all time. I've always thought they sound a bit like the Black Crowes, but the riffs and rhythms Silvertide uses are really a lot more complex. I really hope they're still gonna be around after everything that's changed for them this past year.

Here's Devil's Daughter from Show and Tell.

Shinedown

Shinedown got a little bigger for a while, but their last album wasn't really that successful as far as I know. I had some really high hopes for the last release, because even though the band lost its original guitarist, they picked up a replacement from the band Silvertide, my favorite rock group. Now I'm just scared that Shinedown lost their stride and the world lost Silvertide in the process. The whole combination really just didn't do so much for anyone. Everyone's heard '45' and Shinedown's take on Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Simple Man,' but I've always thought this tune was more true to the group's sound. 

Here's Burning Bright (Sanford Mix) from Leave A Whisper.

Fleetwood Mac

Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac's guitarist, really developed his own style over time working with the band. The group formed in 1967, and by 1977, when Rumours was released, he'd really gotten down a folksy acoustic ambience that made the group's sound. The intro to the seventh track from that album shows the sound really well, not to mention that the tune has a really cool harmony at the end of each chorus - wide harmonies definitely helped make up the group's sound as well. The live version of the song from "The Dance" is more developed, but the harmony didn't make it into the chorus there, so I always end up liking the original copy a little more. If you like this tune give a listen to the last track on the same album, Gold Dust Woman. Folksy acoustic ambient goodness.

Here's The Chain from Rumours.

And just for kicks, here's the copy of The Chain from 

The Dance, Fleetwood Mac's reunited 1997 live effort.

Chasing Victory

This blog was looking way too acoustic-heavy, so here's some hard rock. If you like Emery, you might like this group. They're called Chasing Victory, and they have a pretty similar sound; there's heavy drums, heavy, rhythmic guitar riffs, and vocals that range between screaming and pretty melodic. A lot of people can't stand screaming, and I totally get that, I just think bands have to know how to use it, having the harsh singing offset with some melody. Makes a good contrast. These guys (and Emery) seem to have the right idea. Thanks to Blake for this album too.

Here's Suspects, Alibis, And Partners In Crime from I Call This Abandonment.

April Cover

Here's another GA band, this one from around Berry College (I think, someone should correct me about that). Blake gave me the CD, so yeah I'm not a primary source. And that might have been the lamest thing I've written on here yet. Anyway, I do know for sure that these guys sound almost exactly like Anberlin, really similar vocals and guitar effects. Pretty good sound.

Here's Don't Close Your Eyes from April Cover.