|
Denver Harbor
Scenic
Universal Records 2004
CD Review By Keith Joseph, Rockstarpix.TV
When Fenix Tx broke up about two years ago, guitarist/vocalist Will Salazar and guitarist Chris Lewis decided that they weren’t done with the music industry yet. They went on to join with drummer Ilan Rubin and bassist Aaron Rubin. This lineup in time seemed to be more solid and show a lot more chemistry that the former Fenix Tx members have had before especially after the so/so effort of “Lechuza”.
The album begins with an astonishing drum solo by Ilan that leads in to a heavier rock song. “Xenophobia” just shows the band playing a great rock song that has lyrics that deal with more than the average pop-rock song. A very good opening track to showcase the new band fronted by Will Salazar. “Picture Perfect Wannabe” is the second track on the album. It might as well be called “TRL Wannabe” because the song screams out “I’m generic!!” to the listener. Another song about the lacking “Rock” scene, that any real listener can figure out for themselves, and also because the song will never be on the top 10 of that television show. “Outta My Head” shows a different side of Will that nothing his previous records have presented. The song is very, very catchy and begins with reggae yet still pop-punk theme. The song really allows the listener to realize how great a voice Will has.
“All I Want” is the fifth track on the album and it slows the tempo a bit. Previously the song was released in its acoustic form but this song is really a great song. It reminds me of “Letters to God” by Box Car Racer. It is a very good song, changes from slow tempo to a faster tempo. The effects of the drums and guitars makes it seem as if the instruments are being played a mile away and then the song comes together in which the quartet speed the tempo. “The Ride” is the best song on the album, showcasing great guitar work by the band. At first it seems as if you are listening to a Santana-related song and as soon as the chorus comes into picture, the music becomes electrifying to the ear. Denver Harbor really wrote a great song with this one, showing their influences and maturity. “Twenty-Six” is the seventh track and makes you feel as if you are listening to less aggressive version of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”. The next track “Twenty Seven” brings up the pace and is a very fast song. The song is very-aggressive without lacking the pop sensibilities. It’s a very good song and even shows slight influences of grunge-rock. The last track on the album “Let You Go” is a very pop-oriented song. It is a good song but is a little cliché for the finishing song. Start slow, finish fast and have about a half-minute of bad church music at the end played with a keyboard.
This album isn’t one of the best albums but is a lot better than what the mainstream is feeding our fellow listeners. “Scenic” is filled with good pop- rock songs and also some great ones. It seems as if before Denver Harbor wrote this album, they had a little help with influences of the past. Never should you go as far as calling this the next Fenix Tx album because it is better but still has some flaws. The highlight of the album is the strong guitar work and the great drumming,
Denver Harbor would be appreciated by fans of New Found Glory, Fenix Tx, Blink 182 and Don’t Look Down two years ago. The band shows some influences from bands such as The Eagles and The Police, but with a more pop-punk twist.
Rating: C+
Significant Tracks: “The Ride”, “Xenophobia”, “Outta My Head”, “My Holiday”
www.DenverHarbor.net
www.universalrecords.com
produced by Michael Giambra / rockstarpix.tv Copyright 2004
Join Rockstarpix.TV Office MySpace Group, Click Here!
|