Ferni - Blame

Ferni - Blame (song review) |Gradation Music, Afterburn EP, 2013| 5/5

"Blame" is a rock ballad written, performed, and recorded by Ferni Lopez - a singer and multi-instrumentalist from Houston, Texas. He’s a veteran of writing and playing music inspired by alternative, folk rock, and blues genres, as well as the founder of Brother Sol and Of Love And Justice bands. The song comes from his solo EP Afterburn, released in December 2013.

Rock ballads usually stick to the theme of "it could have been better" and lyrically refer to topics such as unsuccessful relationships, loss, loneliness, misunderstandings, unresolved problems, unrealistic desires etc., supported by melodious, nostalgic tunes. "Blame" firmly fits into that framework.

The track opening will immediately pull your attention into the mood thanks to deep, pensive bass tones with additional cymbals. A slow beat of a hand-held drum and a melancholic guitar come into play shortly afterwards. Highly expressive vocals are specifically what a song with a lullaby-like tempo definitely needs to make the contrasting sounds harmonious and well-matched. Indeed, Ferni’s slightly raspy voice fits in perfectly here. He can definitely sing and adjust his voice to across several ranges very well. The chorus sounds memorable and is exactly what a highly listenable radio or movie song requires.
The final part includes a careful and gentle, high-pitched guitar solo that melts into the whole track without stealing the focus, thanks to the harmoniously layered bass and drums tracks.

The arrangements and the composition have been put together skillfully. Needless to say, it’s quite surprising that one man can perform a song fit for an entire four-piece band, but Ferni's the living proof for this. His music bears inspiration from artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., The Who, Mumford & Sons, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers or Led Zeppelin. Therefore, if you like a nostalgic, guitar-driven vibe, you should enjoy "Blame".

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, March 31st, 2014. Proofreading: Mike 'Vesper' Dziewoński)
This review on Fabryka Magazine: http://industrialrock.net/php-files_en/articles.php?article_id=530

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Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine

Consinity - Sea of Lonely

Consinity - Sea of Lonely (song review) |self-released, single, 2013| 5/5

Consinity was formed in Florida in 2005. The band is set to release its debut album in Spring 2014. It may seem a long time since the start, but the band had to solidify its sound and line-up before moving on.

"Sea of Lonely" is Consinity's latest rock ballad. The track opens with a gentle guitar, making you expect the motif to be a foretaste of a typical ballad. Yet the song is not deprived of heavier, rhythmical tunes thanks to the hard rock, grunge and progressive rock influences that come up soon after the intro.
You'll find passion, emotion and dynamics running within the music of Mark Kievit (drums), Jack Rose (bass), Wayne Hite and Chris Shupe (both on guitars). They perform very well when it comes to individual instrumental parts, as well as collectively. Moreover, their arrangements written for vocals and bass sound very melodious. If you focus a bit more, your ears should catch and follow these two lines only. The guitar solo with a bit of shredding near the end of the track puts a high accent on the rhythmic and repetitive background.

There's a undeniable yet neat contrast between the high pitched guitar and slightly raspy but still lyrical vocals. Beau Brady has a great voice representatively showcasing the genres mentioned earlier. In fact, it is as memorable as that of Daniel Johns (Silverchair) or Layne Stanley (Alice in Chains).
Additional, angrier background vocals performed by Wayne Hite and Jack Rose support Beau and give the track an edgy flavor. The lyrics also perfectly fit into the arrangements and refer to feelings of solitude and frustration.

The composition sounds complete since there are no empty, unused spaces. The majority of it is based on catchy motifs and a chorus that will not leave your ears for the next few hours past the first listening. The intro interlocks with the ending part very well. Both the musical theme and the voice remain haunting. What we’re given here is quite convincingly a potential hit.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz, Fabryka Music Magazine, January 24th, 2014. Proofreading: Mike 'Vesper' Dziewoński)

This review on Fabryka Magazine: http://industrialrock.net/php-files_en/articles.php?article_id=521

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Reviewed by Fabryka Music Magazine