CD Reviews

Chip and The Charge Ups – Flow of the Current, Part I (+) Album Review

Published

6 years ago

September 11, 2018

Josh Drespling

Chip and The Charge Ups

Flow of the Current, Part I (+)

By Josh Drespling for Empire Extreme

I’ll say it! I’ll say it out loud. I lo… shhhh… I love this album!

I truly love the pop-punk sensibility, laden with harmonies, playfulness, and sing-along tracks that reverberate of days past when music was fun and the element a party was built around.

Chip & The Charge Ups have offered up what is part one of a two part release entitled “Flow of the Current, Part I (+).” It is six tracks of catchy, feel-good music that will have you tapping your foot and driving way too fast through one of the many constructions zones in and around Pittsburgh, PA.

The album opens with Front Row a fist-pumping ode to putting all your energy and hard earned cash into attending a punk rock show and of course finding a way to be in the front row. The track is complete with gang vocals and Ramones style riffs reminiscent of Chip DiMonick‘s previous band and their song You Ain’t Punk.

Next up is the tribute to Pittsburgh hockey legend Phil Bourque, The Ol’ Two Niner. This track is the heaviest offering on the release and pays tribute to Black Sabbath‘s Children of the Grave. The song is a simple rock anthem clocking in at just over two minutes. You can hear part of the song every Wednesday morning as it is currently being used by WDVE‘s morning show as the intro music to Phil Bourque’s hockey analyst segments.

The album makes a tempo change with the acoustic guitar intro of Shine Again, where Chip croons “Like the sun, I’ll shine again. Just like the moon, I’ll rise again. Someday you’ll see my fire again. I’ll shine again.” The rock ballad style of this smart and uplifting track fits nicely juxtaposed next to the previous rockers.

The album takes a quirky and fun twist with the track that has everybody who has seen the band live in the last few months talking. Its is a unique mash-up of Poison‘s Fallen Angel and Green Day‘s Good Riddance. The riffs of these two songs work quite well together and hearing this track is worth the price of the CD alone.

I Hope I Never Say That Out Loud is mid-tempo diddy that has Chip toying with the agony of saying I love you. I could here this song being firmly planted in the Cheap Trick catalog.

The album winds down with the soul bearing One Black Balloon. The ballad illustrates the day of the author’s funeral and somber sights of the pictures gathered to represent his life and his body lying in repose with his favorite tie. Lyrics encourage the listener to “Send one black balloon, into the sky at noon. Watch it as it dances towards the sun, and when it drifts from sight, please know that I’m alright.
Like that one black balloon I am not really gone.”

Over all this is stellar release, especially on the local level. My only complaint is that it is quite short CD. However, I guess that falls under the golden rule of leaving the audience wanting more and Chip And the Charge Ups did exactly that. The album will officially be released on September 15th and will be celebrated with an all-ages CD Release Party at the Black Forge Coffee House in Pittsburgh’ Allentown neighborhood at 7:30pm that same night. The release party will feature an extended performance from Chip & The Charge Ups as well as music from Rachel Leigh and Pineapple Pizza.

About Author

Josh Drespling

Josh is the Publisher and creator of Empire Extreme and it’s sister publication Kingdom Extreme Magazine. He is an accomplished writer, photographer and graphic designer. He is always conjuring up new ideas and has a amazing passion for the music industry and all the things that surround it.

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CD Reviews

BUSH 30th ANNIVERSARY OF “SIXTEEN STONE” VINYL

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Ron

I remember when this album came out in 1994 . I was 15 and really discovering all types of music. As being a typical teenage boy I seen the band name “Bush” and thought hmm I love bush, let’s check it out. It was such an amazing album from beginning to end.

The new released vinyl that just came out on November 17th is such a testament to this album being as great then as it is now. Listening to the vinyl just brought back so many memories of being an angst teenager that just wanted to heard. The vinyl package is amazing with lots of photos of the band throughout the years and the sound of the vinyl is so pristine.

I got my hands on the opaque red vinyl and just looks awesome spinning on the player. It’s crazy to think that this album has so many hits and no filler songs, even the songs that didn’t become hits are just as good as the hits.

With the hits being “Glycerine”, “Everything Zen” , “Comedown” “Little Things” and “Machinehead” but some of my favorite songs are not the hits songs like “Swim”, “Bomb” and “Alien” which is probably my favorite song on the album. If you’re a fan of Bush or this album or just want to dive into the mid 90s Grunge/Post Grunge era this is a key album to have in your collection.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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CD Reviews

ALICE IN CHAINS “BLACK GIVES WAY TO BLUE” VINYL REVIEW

Published

2 months ago

October 3, 2024

Ron

Alice In Chains have Re-Released the 2009 album on vinyl. This album was the first Alice In Chains in 14 years and the first album with guitarist/singer Willam DuVall after Layne Staley passed away in 2002.

I was a huge Alice In Chains fan and was a big fan of both Layne and Jerry. When this album first came out I remember sorta pushing it the side only cause of sadness about Layne but after hearing “Check My Brain” I gave it a chance and was so glad that I did. This album is amazing and really put Alice In Chains back into the mainstream.

The vinyl not only looks super awesome but sounds amazing. If you’re a fan of Alice In Chains and into collecting Vinyl, this album is a must in your collection. It’s a great packed vinyl with 2 vinyls included.

Side A: All Secrets Known, Check My Brain and Last of My Kind. Side B: Your Decision, A Looking in View. Side C: When The Sun Rose Again, Acid Bubble, Lesson Learned. Side D: Take Her Out, Private Hell, Black Gives Away To Blue

About Author

Ron

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CD Reviews

VENDED: Album Review

Published

2 months ago

September 20, 2024

JJ Ulizio

9/20/24 sees the independent release of the full-length, self-titled debut album from Des Moines, Iowa natives Vended. Featuring vocalist Griffin Taylor, Simon Crahan on drums, Jeremiah Pugh on bass, Cole Espland on lead guitar, and Connor Grodzicki on rhythm guitar.

On this album they have taken more abrasive elements of nu metal as seen in the late 90s from bands like Slipknot and Soulfly and utilized elements of metalcore to slap a fresh coat of paint on the style. There are elements that remind me of the more modern and spastic styles of nu metal, similar to a band like Tallah.

Griffin’s vocal styling showcases mid-range screams as the main driving force bending the vocals. True to the nu metal elements, the rage and anger perceived from the screams are offset by the occasional catchy riff or fast talking, almost rapping stylized lyrics.

Crahan shows an impressive command of rhythm with his double bass drum. Driving each track forward with a machine gun-like purpose, which makes the more groove-oriented parts hit much harder. Crahan, in addition to the rest of the rhythm section (Espland and Pugh), all really work together well to keep the momentum moving forward while not sacrificing said groove.

While I wouldn’t call it album of the year or anything. It’s definitely worth checking out. Standout tracks: “Nihilism” and “The Far Side”.

Vended can be found on the usual socials. And the album is available on all streaming platforms. And physical copies can be purchased though https://www.officialvended.com

About Author

JJ Ulizio

JJ has been a contributing writer and huge asset to Empire and Empire Extreme since the very begining. He is always digging for new bands and has a true heart and desire to see the bands grow and succeed.

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