AURAS....new band from MR front page.

[S2M]

Listened to the song about 3 or 4 times....this band suffers from what a good majority of the new crop of bands suffer from nowadays: Vanillaism.

Sorry to say this band will go nowhere. The 80s-style keys, the Augeri/Soto/Perry doppelganger vocals are tacky. The apathetic-acting drummer, notwithstanding.

Not one thing about this band stands out....I really tried. I know Drrew is just reporting/reviewing - but c'mon.

This band is more cliche' than Sha-Boom. I half expected Dag Finn to pop into the video.

[Ehwmatt]

Haven't listened yet, but I'm aware of the general trend you're talking about. MR has definitely gotten stale.

I think the first thing these bands need to do is make a commitment to using a lot more organic PIANO sounds and only using synths for atmosphere, not cheesy up-front tones. Look at how Cain uses piano on "Signs of Life." Piano-driven with big guitars is the way to go these days to strike a more modern but decidedly true to MR style sound.

[A. M. Scott]

Haven't listened yet, but I'm aware of the general trend you're talking about. MR has definitely gotten stale.

I think the first thing these bands need to do is make a commitment to using a lot more organic PIANO sounds and only using synths for atmosphere, not cheesy up-front tones. Look at how Cain uses piano on "Signs of Life." Piano-driven with big guitars is the way to go these days to strike a more modern but decidedly true to MR style sound.

MAAAAANNN...you are MOOOOOORE than RIght!!!! I agree 100%... 80's feel regarding the writing process but modern sounds to produce the album....
That's what we're trying to do with Cold Heart as well...and who knows...with a little help from above we will succeed..

Alex Mark Scott

[Ehwmatt]

Haven't listened yet, but I'm aware of the general trend you're talking about. MR has definitely gotten stale.

I think the first thing these bands need to do is make a commitment to using a lot more organic PIANO sounds and only using synths for atmosphere, not cheesy up-front tones. Look at how Cain uses piano on "Signs of Life." Piano-driven with big guitars is the way to go these days to strike a more modern but decidedly true to MR style sound.

MAAAAANNN...you are MOOOOOORE than RIght!!!! I agree 100%... 80's feel regarding the writing process but modern sounds to produce the album....
That's what we're trying to do with Cold Heart as well...and who knows...with a little help from above we will succeed..

Alex Mark Scott

I know Jim doesn't use a lot of synth tones, and rightfully so. The ones I've heard are just as I like to hear, atmosphere to color the lead guitar. Otherwise, let that crisp piano drive the song and interact with the rhythm/lead guitar!

[Duncan]

I thought it was cracking and I couldn't care less that it's not original or modern sounding.

[yulog]

Can't wait to get this , it sounds great. Smooth sounds, catchy hooks, guy sounds perfect for this style of music. Hell, most videos are cheesy...ask journey about that


After hearing the new Giant cd , this is a breath of fresh Vanilla air.

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

Its definitely not original, but it does sound pretty good.

Do agree with the systhesiser keyboards. A real piano / real piano sound greate , but drop the syth

[melodico]

I've heard the album and sound very well, not original, but with big melodies from the heart. Give'em a chance!

[G.I.Jim]

I thought it was cracking and I couldn't care less that it's not original or modern sounding.

Duncan, you can listen to this song all day, and go crack a fat in the corner okay?

[G.I.Jim]

Haven't listened yet, but I'm aware of the general trend you're talking about. MR has definitely gotten stale.

I think the first thing these bands need to do is make a commitment to using a lot more organic PIANO sounds and only using synths for atmosphere, not cheesy up-front tones. Look at how Cain uses piano on "Signs of Life." Piano-driven with big guitars is the way to go these days to strike a more modern but decidedly true to MR style sound.

MAAAAANNN...you are MOOOOOORE than RIght!!!! I agree 100%... 80's feel regarding the writing process but modern sounds to produce the album....
That's what we're trying to do with Cold Heart as well...and who knows...with a little help from above we will succeed..

Alex Mark Scott

I know Jim doesn't use a lot of synth tones, and rightfully so. The ones I've heard are just as I like to hear, atmosphere to color the lead guitar. Otherwise, let that crisp piano drive the song and interact with the rhythm/lead guitar!

I try to use more synth, but Alex threatens to quit the project every time I send him a synth song! Singers are SOOOOO moody!

[Jeremey]

Haven't listened yet, but I'm aware of the general trend you're talking about. MR has definitely gotten stale.

I think the first thing these bands need to do is make a commitment to using a lot more organic PIANO sounds and only using synths for atmosphere, not cheesy up-front tones. Look at how Cain uses piano on "Signs of Life." Piano-driven with big guitars is the way to go these days to strike a more modern but decidedly true to MR style sound.

Have I got some tunes for you, Matt! ;}

[Jeremey]

Good sounds through 1:34 of the video. Good vocals, good production. Only problem I had, it sounded like 5 different songs? Was that one song or a medley? I am actually being serious. And I don't like the lyric "Message of Love" - Hey bands, don't use complete ripoffs as "homages"....They just come across as ripoffs.

[slucero]

ok.. haven't listened yet.. but is the name "Auras".... pronounced... "Our Ass"? or "Or-as"??

[ebake02]

Seems to me that the singer is trying way too hard to sound like journey.

[yulog]

Good sounds through 1:34 of the video. Good vocals, good production. Only problem I had, it sounded like 5 different songs? Was that one song or a medley? I am actually being serious. And I don't like the lyric "Message of Love" - Hey bands, don't use complete ripoffs as "homages"....They just come across as ripoffs.

This is hysterical coming from a guy who makes his living ripping off another band

[Jeremey]

Good sounds through 1:34 of the video. Good vocals, good production. Only problem I had, it sounded like 5 different songs? Was that one song or a medley? I am actually being serious. And I don't like the lyric "Message of Love" - Hey bands, don't use complete ripoffs as "homages"....They just come across as ripoffs.

This is hysterical coming from a guy who makes his living ripping off another band

When I write a song and call is "Stoned In Love" or "Opened Arms," then you might have a point. Until then you just sound like the same surly fool with a hard on for me.

[Ehwmatt]

Good sounds through 1:34 of the video. Good vocals, good production. Only problem I had, it sounded like 5 different songs? Was that one song or a medley? I am actually being serious. And I don't like the lyric "Message of Love" - Hey bands, don't use complete ripoffs as "homages"....They just come across as ripoffs.

This is hysterical coming from a guy who makes his living ripping off another band

When I write a song and call is "Stoned In Love" or "Opened Arms," then you might have a point. Until then you just sound like the same surly fool with a hard on for me.

lolz

[yulog]

Good sounds through 1:34 of the video. Good vocals, good production. Only problem I had, it sounded like 5 different songs? Was that one song or a medley? I am actually being serious. And I don't like the lyric "Message of Love" - Hey bands, don't use complete ripoffs as "homages"....They just come across as ripoffs.

This is hysterical coming from a guy who makes his living ripping off another band

When I write a song and call is "Stoned In Love" or "Opened Arms," then you might have a point. Until then you just sound like the same surly fool with a hard on for me.

The only fool here would be the one trying to point the finger at other bands and labeling them "ripoffs" when all he has done is make money off of other peoples music.


Don't get your panties in a wad, just because you have this innate ability to bring question to yourself when you post. Its not like this is the first time you have done that here. Hell, i can't even keep count how many times you have done that here at MR.

[Saint John]

Jeremey ... your turn!

[Jeremey]

Not worth the effort.....

[slucero]

yulog... its only "ripping off" when the ripper does it surreptitiously.

sur⋅rep⋅ti⋅tious
–adjective
1. obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine: a surreptitious glance.


Jeremey openly calls his show a "tribute to Journey"... if he was "ripping Journey off" he wouldn't say a thing...

[yulog]

This guy sounds like Chalfant on Reach out . This is going to be a must have , has a nice west coast Aor feel to it.

[artist4perry]

This guy sounds like Chalfant on Reach out . This is going to be a must have , has a nice west coast Aor feel to it.

Must........wear.........sunglasses............when .........yulog ........posts................

[kgdjpubs]

Good sounds through 1:34 of the video. Good vocals, good production. Only problem I had, it sounded like 5 different songs? Was that one song or a medley? I am actually being serious. And I don't like the lyric "Message of Love" - Hey bands, don't use complete ripoffs as "homages"....They just come across as ripoffs.

This is hysterical coming from a guy who makes his living ripping off another band

When I write a song and call is "Stoned In Love" or "Opened Arms," then you might have a point. Until then you just sound like the same surly fool with a hard on for me.

The only fool here would be the one trying to point the finger at other bands and labeling them "ripoffs" when all he has done is make money off of other peoples music.

Don't get your panties in a wad, just because you have this innate ability to bring question to yourself when you post. Its not like this is the first time you have done that here. Hell, i can't even keep count how many times you have done that here at MR.

For what it's worth, I don't hear that much Journey at all on any of Jeremey's original work. Take away the high-tenor voice, and there's not much resemblance to either Journey OR Perry. The vocal style is certainly different, and the songs/melodies are different also--within the realm of being AOR/melodic rock.

I tend to be in agreement with Jeremey on the comment about ripping off a lyric or something and calling it a homage. Using some current songs....If I Fall from WET has Journey written all over it, but it doesn't exactly rip off a specific Journey song. It sounds Journey, but the resemblance stops there.

Taking the opposite one, listen to The Dream from the Ramos/Hugo cd with the "somewhere in the night" line that is lifted directly from Don't Stop Believin'. It's a cheap rip-off and distracts from an otherwise decent song.

There is a difference between the two. You can sound like another band without intentionally ripping off lyrics and/or melody lines. It's not the same thing.

[wildgtar]

The two biggest selling points for this band are the obvious Steve Perry/Kevin Chalfant-sounding vocals....and the songs have some really cool chord changes. So many of us miss having Steve Perry in Journey, so when a new band comes along that sound reminiscent of Journey, we tend to take notice. Plus, this singer REALLY sings his ass off, striving for high notes. I have only heard song samples. How I would love to hear the full album.
I do not view AURAS as a Journey clone, but I do see them as a Journey "style". And hey....if the music sounds good, then why not embrace it and enjoy it?
I have to admit...for some reason, I have a tough time embracing Journey with Arnel on lead vocals. He is a great singer, but something just doesn't fit. However, I felt the same way about Steve Augeri. I loved his first album with Tall Stories, whihc is awesome.....but he did not truly fit Journey. Aside from Steve Perry, I think the only two singers (that I know of) who would have worked for Journey is Jeremey Hunsicker or maybe Hugo.
I am REALLY looking forward to hearing the new AURAS album. If anyone has further info about the full album, send me at email at wildgtar@charter.net and...let's talk!

[yulog]

I finally got this and I am listening to it now , it's very good. This guy sounds very much like Kevin Chalfant(but the voice is a bit smoother)Its not a 10 out of 10 but its a really good cd , so far every song is very good(listened to the 1st 8 songs ). It has a westcoast AOR vibe to it.

[Andrew]

I thought it was cracking and I couldn't care less that it's not original or modern sounding.

In this cvase...ditto.

Marvellous pure AOR record for those that dig Kevin Chalfant and Two Fires style melodies.

[S2M]

I thought it was cracking and I couldn't care less that it's not original or modern sounding.

In this cvase...ditto.

Marvellous pure AOR record for those that dig Kevin Chalfant and Two Fires style melodies.

Interesting, cause i'd like to deposit the cd in between 2 fires..

[yulog]

I thought it was cracking and I couldn't care less that it's not original or modern sounding.

In this cvase...ditto.

Marvellous pure AOR record for those that dig Kevin Chalfant and Two Fires style melodies.

Agreed.

[Jana]

Haven't listened yet, but I'm aware of the general trend you're talking about. MR has definitely gotten stale.

I think the first thing these bands need to do is make a commitment to using a lot more organic PIANO sounds and only using synths for atmosphere, not cheesy up-front tones. Look at how Cain uses piano on "Signs of Life." Piano-driven with big guitars is the way to go these days to strike a more modern but decidedly true to MR style sound.

I agree with you for once -- okay, this makes twice.