BANDS:

Punk & Ska
80's New Wave/
Post-Punk/
College Bands
90's & Beyond
Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

Here Today: Self-Titled
[Freburg]

The Fredericksburg, Virginia band, Here Today has released a self-titled album that combines influences of pop, rock, bluegrass, and a little bit of 80s anthem guitar (ala Ah Via Musicom).  The result is a perfect example of the castration of modern rock.  Here Today has created a melodic mish-mash of vanilla sounds lacking in masculinity, power, or creativity.  Although they are promoted as an alt-rock power pop band, their music doesnt really meet that height.  The reality of their music result falls closer to the likes of Barenaked Ladies, only without any poetic lyrics. 

Here Today places lyrical emphasis on heartfelt subjects of love, life and loss.  It seems obvious that the messages are important to the band, but the writing style is sappy and canned making it impossible to connect with the music. To add to the troubles, the lyrics have a tendency to date the band in that style that makes you feel as though you are listening to the woes of a middle-aged man.  Were it not for their horrifying ability to write catchy riffs that stick in your head, you would easily forget the songs within moments of turning off your stereo. 

This isnt to say that Here Today is without redeeming qualities.  They play their instruments well, and although the composition of pop/rock mush and the occasional ill-advised voiceover plagues the album, there are highlights.  One of the latter tracks, Prodigal, may be one high points.  With a monumental rock ballad influence and moments of Western and bluegrass undertones, its one of the few tracks that displays any potential.  Incorporating violin and drawn vocals, Here Today finally is able to drive across some real emotion and carry that through the end of the album.  Perhaps this is the style of music where this band should focus.

The band members seem to be comfortable with their instruments, and theres nothing to say that they wont come up with something interesting in the future, but on this album, theres nothing about the style, composition, or lyrics that defines this band as anything beyond bland.     

Check Amazon, Insound and CD Universe to purchase this album.

Heretoday Official Website

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