Jake Stratton-The Survival (EP 2014)

Post #323

Jake Stratton, the guitarist and songwriter from the band Ten With Strangers, reviewed previously on this blog, released a solo-project CD in 2014 entitled 'The Survival'. This has a bit of a different vibe than either of the TWS releases, since Jake himself also does the lead vocals here, but there is enough of his unique songwriting style to recognize the similarities.

This EP rocks with a rock 'n' roll/pop-punk vibe and contains plenty of catchy hooks, melodies and clever lyrics to draw you in. At times it sounds like a 90's pop-puck effort, at others an 80's hard rock staple. In either case Jake Stratton gives you the kind of catchy hard rock that Ten With Strangers' fans might expect.

This'll Have to Do -This 'un-ballad's lyrical theme reminds me of the Sara Bareilles hit 'Love Song' in that it is not the kind of song that the title may imply. To clarify: Bareilles sings "I'm not going to write you a love song today..." The entire song in an inspiration from her record label's request for a love song from her. In 'This'll Have to Do', Jake sings, "Someday, when I tell you 'so-long!', I'm gonna write you a beautiful love song, and 'til then, this'll have to do..." Did I mention this is my favorite track on this EP?

Rock and Roll Warriors -If Green Day were to write a song telling the story of rock n' roll music from it's inception through the end of the 90's, it might sound like this. Jake starts with Chuck Berry, and walks us through the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's until thrash, glam, and grunge have all been introduced. It is a kind of anthem encouraging rockers to keep on rockin'.

Fallin' in Love Again -A song inspired by the Fountains of Wayne hit 'Stacy's Mom', it carries a similar pop-punk feel, but portrays the opposite scenario. Equally taboo; in this song the middle-aged man falls in love with a lady half his age...

I Don't Know - Another straight-up pop-puck type of rock song. The riff is one that sounds like it would fit right in on Green Day's 1997 album Nimrod.

March of the Zombies -Jake Stratton chooses to close this EP with perhaps the heaviest song it has to offer. This song is pretty much a description of living in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. It plods along with a slow tempo, perhaps to imitate the slow and methodical lurch of the stereotypical zombies from the old movies...

You can download all of Jake Stratton's music at Broadjam.com: http://www.broadjam.com/artists/albums.php?artistID=21904

You can also visit the Ten With Strangers Facebook page...

Additionally both of the full-length Ten With Strangers releases can be purchased for download or CD at CBaby.com: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TenWithStrangers

Ten With Strangers-Wake Up Call (2011)

Post # 184
It has been awhile since Ten With Strangers were featured in this blog's first competition of independent bands back in '09. In that time this band has seen some changes in its line-up, but with renewed commitment and diligence, they delivered their 2nd full-length, independently produced CD, 'Wake Up Call', late last year.

'Wake Up Call' is a bit of a change of pace compared to TWS's first release, Infectious from '04. Where that album came across with an almost post-grunge, alt-rock vibe Ten With Strangers have migrated to a more laid back, pop-rock style while retaining a bit of their hard-rock edge.

One element that has remained a constant for Ten With Strangers is their catchy hooks. Their new singer, Alexi Drikos, provides a melodic vocal delivery while the band gives you plenty of major-key riffs. As a whole, 'Wake Up Call' is packed with up-beat, catchy hard rock tunes and is well worth taking the time to give it a listen. The album is available to preview and download here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tenwithstrangers2

Once you're there check out these tracks I recommend:
-Another Side of Me (First track is a great introduction to Ten With Stranger's new vibe; an up-beat, mid-tempo rocker with a catchy melody.)
-So Long, Goodbye (TWS step up the tempo a little on this one. Vocal melodies are so catchy, they're almost a throw-back to 80's hard rock. Still, it's enough to make this my 2nd-favorite track on the album.)
-Gotta Get Home
-Dying Young (Here's a different flavor from TWS; clean guitar begins like a ballad, though the lyrics carry themes on current, real-world issues.)
-Sometimes (Another melodic number that will have you singing along by the 2nd verse.)
-On My Knees (The album's true ballad. A soft, and beautiful love song, tempered with a blend of acoustic and electric guitars. Vocals: catchy and melodic as always!)
-Wake Up Call (The title track opens with a lead guitar melody that is soon echoed by the vocals. Choruses lift the mood higher with a powerful anthem.)
-The Survival (My favorite track from this album. This one has an element of darkness. Of all the songs collected here, this one is closest in style to their old material from Infectious, but it stands on its own, and is a great song!)

Check out Ten With Strangers on their websites:
http://tenwithstrangers.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ten-With-Strangers/198230105544

Discover New Bands on Myspace...

Post #76
Refer to this post for the November-December '09 Readers' Poll!

In this day and age, if you have a band that's serious about recording music, and you can't find a record deal, it's still easy to get your music available for potential fans to hear. All you need to do is create a myspace web page, upload some of your songs, and who knows what can happen from there?

For next month's readers' poll I'll be featuring the following bands that are either new, unsigned, or independent. They all have a myspace page with songs available to preview. I have suggested one song for each band for you to quickly listen & compare, but please listen to as many of their songs as you can... you'll see there's a lot of variety here! Then, after you've heard them all, pick you favorite & cast your vote! Enjoy the new tunes!

Overdust-"Maybe Tomorrow"
http://www.myspace.com/overdust

Ten With Strangers-"Gotta Get Home"
http://www.myspace.com/tenwithstrangers

Taking Dawn-"Like a Revolution"
http://www.myspace.com/takingdawn

Strych9Hollow-"Better Off Alone"
http://www.myspace.com/strych9hollow

Droids Attack!-"Operation Panda"
http://www.myspace.com/droidsattack

From Sword to Sunrise-"Preparation for Death"
http://www.myspace.com/fromswordtosunrise

Losing Scarlet-"Shade of Hate"
http://www.myspace.com/losingscarlet

Start listening now!! The new poll will be posted in just a couple days!