San Diego, CA
By Rachael Alvine
Modern Heist released a new album in February 2013 called "All I Ever Loved". The southern Cali band describes themselves as "heavy folk, classic rock, dirty blues, as well as...hard rock/punk, and sometimes even pop...alternative indie but our style exceeds that large box".
Personally, I love the band's self-given monniker "post-coffeehouse" which I feel is most appropriate after listening to the album's tracks.
This band already has a special place in my heart simply because they are from the very town I hope to end up in someday, San Diego. Not to mention a brief description of the band sounds similar to what I hope to create musically one day. Perhaps this is why aspiring musicians like to listen to other people's music.
The first album track "Sad Condition" is a short and sweet intro to the album asking forgiveness, for what, I'm not exactly sure. The soft vocals work and I get the essence of an acoustic "Cranberries" song at first listen.
"Be Honest" is a harder track with more of the blues influence mentioned. This track is receiving some airplay (central valley Rock 96-7) and could be on its way to becoming a single, however, I think a re-record of a stronger vocal might get this track the mass-attention and radio play the band could be hoping for.
"Creature Own Adventure" is a very up-beat and "catchy" track that once again evokes the 90's coffeehouse roots of indie folk/singer/songwriter....you know what I'm talking about. Watch a few episodes of FRIENDS. I think most females would find a happy place in this song, at least during "special" times of the month.
"So L.A." is a track that is very easy to listen to and could capture the attention of a large group of indie-rock listeners. With the right production team, this band could really go places. All of the elements are there, but at times I want more from the vocals and the rest of the band individually.
"Dance Number" is a great song and I might guess the band's most popular song at live shows. This song almost captures a Bowie sound....or maybe a tiny hint of British punk. This track was definitely the most interesting to me at first listen of the album.
This next track has the best lyrics on the album. "The Natives Are on Dexaphenadrine" starts with the line "I like the taste of smoke and coke, and ketamine..." which is totally awesome and great reference to diet pills in the title. I love the instrumentation used, everything just really came together with this song. I attribute a lot of that to the thoughtful and uncurbed lyrics of the track.
"Postcards from Perfect" is a song that is upbeat and more rock, including a hard rock bridge that I really enjoyed. Overall the album relates the attributes of some of the great 90's indie girl rock like Veruca Salt, Lisa Loeb or even Natalie Merchant.
"Tithing" is a nice closing offering to the album. A harder track that drives home the real message of the project which is very timely and new saying to our own individual oppressors,
"You may think that I am selfish and deranged, crazy not to wanna play these petty little games."
The album is solid and well-balanced and I like hearing the old and new influences of indie rock on most all of the tracks. This is a band that has elements of staying power. And that's rare these days.
But don't take my word for it!
LISTEN FOR YOURSELF
http://modernheist.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/modernheist/
