Band: Lorene Drive
Album: Romantic Wealth
www.lorenedrive.com



Victorville natives Lorene Drive have their very own genre in what I like to call cute, dirty rock ‘n’ roll. They are emo just enough to satiate the emo kids, and heavy enough to where the hardcore kids have something to “dance” along with. This extreme musical facade is unmistakably shown on their debut CD “Romantic Wealth.”

Ever since the release of Lorene Drive’s first EP “‘Savan in Super Pursuit Mode” in 2003, they just keep continuing to blow up. I remember watching them some three years ago at Kilby Court (back when guitar player Justin Smith had some gnarly dreads!), and even then the crowd was rowdy over their music. Not a lot of people really knew who they were, but everyone seemed to love them. With the re-release of “‘Savan in Super Pursuit Mode” in early 2005, it was plain to see that Lorene Drive was progressing towards something grand.

Five months after “‘Savan” was re-released, Lorene Drive took the music industry by storm with the release of their debut CD “Romantic Wealth.” This CD leaves nothing, absolutely nothing out. It’s heavy, it’s a little bit of rhythm and a little bit of blues, and it’s a whole lot of cute (the good kind, I promise).

Opening with the thrilling “God Knows I Love You Kid”, the LD boys will have you singing their catchy lyrics in no time. With bewildering breakdowns that no one can deny, “Romantic Wealth” is a great listen for when you’re feeling eager and enthusiastic. There’s not a song I would skip. Even “Kill Your Lover” and “Change of Occupancy,” both of which have been on both issues of “‘Savan” still sound amazing. Each song on “Romantic Wealth” has its own particular zing to it. Not all of the songs like “A Kiss Won’t Make This Better” or “For the Rest of Us” are necessarily meant to be about happy topics, but Lorene Drive has a way of playing the “sad” songs to where even though they may be about dismal ideas, the song itself still makes you feel better. Maybe it’s the music, maybe it’s the pure emotion in singer Daniel Murillo’s voice, or maybe it’s just the common connection of being hurt.

Some would say that Lorene Drive isn’t really doing anything new, but I guarantee you that once you listen to them, you’ll forget everything you thought you knew about bands not being diverse enough; LD is one-of-a-kind. Lorene Drive is also always on the road, playing energetic fiery sets each and every night, so be sure to check them out when possible.

Band: Steel Train
Album: For You My Dear EP
www.steeltrainmusic.com



Steel Train may seem a bit out of place on the emo/pop-punk label Drive-Thru Records. “For You My Dear” was their debut EP release that was put out on this record label, and it’s a sensational blend of rock, Latin, acoustic, funk, and jam.

Whenever I listen to this EP, I imagine driving somewhere along the coast, feeling the cool air rush through the window. There is certain softness in singer Scott Irby-Ranniar’s voice. It’s not exactly anything catchy or exciting, but it fits in perfectly with the mellow tunes on the EP. “For You My Dear” is utterly relaxing; even the jam songs are more laid-back than upbeat.

“Blown Away” is a great start to a mesmerizing record, and while listening to the song you actually do feel blown away by the sheer melodic dreaminess of the song. The piano at the end of the song transitions smoothly into the acoustic “Alley Cat,” which has the same dreamy feel as does the next song “Angelica.” “W. 12th” is a Latin-acoustic jam song, which is really only a preview to what Steel Train can do (live jam sessions are passionately crazy). After “For You My Dear” the EP ends appropriately with “Night Falls”.

“Night Falls” has a very melancholy air to it, as do some of the other songs. “For You My Dear” was created in memory of Sarah Melissa Antonoff, who I believe was guitarist/vocalist Jack Antonoff’s sister. (Antonoff also wrote songs “Grace” and “Catch You on the Other Side” for the passing of his sister.) I only include this because throughout all the songs you really can sense the emotion and the pain felt by the band members as it is portrayed through their music and lyrics.

Steel Train has continued to produce music just as amazing, if not more so as the songs on “For You My Dear.” They have since put out an EP entitled “1969,” which is original in that it is purely cover songs from the year 1969 that inspired the band and their sound. Anyone who can cover a CCR song and give it a modern jam-band twist without disgracing the original song is definitely worth a listen. Their debut CD “Twilight Tales from the Prairies of the Sun” was also a huge success with fifteen groovy songs. Steel Train is touring across the states this summer, and they’re actually one of the bigger bands that are worth paying money to see. Although this inventive band may seem a little behind their time, they will without doubt be around for years to come.