–Jake Wheat, Streetblast.com
Release Date: 30 April 2009
Genre: Rock/Progressive/Indie Rock
Publisher: (C) 2009 Modal Music Group
Label: Modal Music Group
Time: 14m 20s
Review Date:24-August-2009
Format: CD
JivePK™: http://jivepk.jivewired.com/theoutervibe
Click image to purchase from Amazon
Track Listing:
01. We've Created A Monster 3:38
02. On The Run 4:04
03. Dance Around 3:43
04. You're Girlfriend's A Witch 2:55
Review:
I am noticing that the current trend amongst indie bands is to go with an EP rather than a full CD release. While this is likely attributed to our current financial crunch, the positive is that efforts are way stronger when they are concentrated to a 4 or 5 song release and of course less expensive for the consumer. The Monster EP by the Outer Vibe is a vigorous, well-recorded effort that is as strong as any release we have reviewed this year.
The Outer Vibe's sound is an innovative take on rock music's most timeless elements, which pays tribute to the voice that screamed out in the 1960's and 70's for change and freedom.
This is the third release for The Outer Vibe, following Games We Play, released in 2006 and Pretty Good which was released in 2004. Never has the band sounded more confident, combining an amped up, crazed-inventiveness with expressive and expansive range and a little more psychedelia than their previous releases. This is good stuff.
The EP opens with "We Created A Monster", a faced paced, up tempo number that is pure fury and hysteria and includes a signature 'scream'. followed by a flurry of extravagance and spectacle that is breathtaking. Taking a stab at greed and the self-fulfilling prophecy that we have become, this song is by far the Outer Vibe's best effort yet. There is so much going on instrumentally but it all fits, from the marked changes in tempo, the pauses, tremendous percussion from Jeff Brems, and yes, the aforementioned scream. I can't imagine what it was like to create this arrangement but it had to be fun. This is what music should be.
"On The Run" is a catchy song that fits perfectly following "Monster" - reminiscent of some of the best indie rock from the 1990's, but with a hint of 70's psychedelia power pop (think "Love Is Like Oxygen" by Sweet or ELO when they were at their symphonic apex). Again, the arrangement and instrumentation are top notch and Sean Zuidgeest is at his best vocally here, showing tremendous range and sustain. The song builds in intensity reaching an unparalleled crescendo and a very strong finish.
"Dance Around" makes a great case for the EP's first single, built on and around a strong foundation of keyboards and trumpet, highlighting the tremendous musicianship of Lisa Kacos. That is not to diminish everything else that is going on here; indeed the guitar work of Nick Horsford is absolutely rousing and Zuidgeest is again stellar. If that is not enough, Andrew Dornoff's bass work is genuinely bloodthirsty here - he may need to be chained up! This is cabaret-style progressiveness that is definitely the highlight of the EP.
The final song on The Monster EP is "Your Girlfriend's A Witch". Stunning. Nick is AMAZING on his guitar solo, which for lack of a better word is absolutely incendiary. A white-hot performance with all-star efforts from the entire band. Again, percussion and rhythm really stand out on this track.
This is frenzied energy at it's controlled best. In fact, I am amazed at the way the Outer Vibe seems to be in control, with near surgical precision no less, of their own musical chaos. This is a five-star effort - all tracks are highly enjoyable and the EP carries a SonicJive.com MUST HAVE recommendation. You will absolutely love the single "On The Run". Get this EP right away.
About The Outer Vibe:
The Outer Vibe is a 5 piece alternative rock/pop band from Grand Rapids, MI that features a female trumpet and keytar player. The energetic group throws a party onstage with wall-of-sound guitar, dance inducing drums and bass, and powerful lead vocals. The band’s live antics and fun atmosphere are in high demand among festivals, colleges, rock clubs, parties, and events throughout the Midwest region.
The Outer Vibe has independently released 3 original CDs (“Pretty Good” 2003, “Games We Play” 2006, and “Monster EP” 2009.) They have sold roughly 1,500 albums since January 2009 and roughly 6,000 albums overall since December 2003. They are currently in the recording studio, working on their fourth full length album.
The Outer Vibe performs 60-80 shows a year, and weekly audience numbers average from 400-4000 people. Their street team has over 1,500 active members who help promote the band in 8 states and 4 countries.
Their latest release, “Monster EP,” has received airplay from radio stations including 97.9 WGRD (Grand Rapids, MI), 97.5 WJIM (Lansing, MI), 101.3 WFOX (Grand Rapids, MI), 95.5 WJZJ (Traverse City, MI), and many other college and independent radio stations. The Outer Vibe was chosen to be a part of 97.9 WGRD’s 2008 and 2009 Bootleg compilation albums. Past artists chosen include: Shinedown, The Fray, Fuel, Everclear, Our Lady Peace, Dashboard Confessional, and more.
The Outer Vibe has partnered with Michigan State University and the MSU Community Music School to start and instruct a highly successful School of Rock, giving kids an opportunity to learn what it takes to start a band, manage it, and perform live shows.
The Outer Vibe is sponsored by: GHS strings, DEFYE Clothing, Analysis-Plus Cables, Kiaeneto Clothing, Mechanix Gloves.
National bands The Outer Vibe has played with:
REO Speedwagon, The Tubes, Starship (formerly Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship), Days of the New, Electric Six, Local H, We the Kings, Kevin Max of D.C. Talk, Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe, Caroline’s Spine, Sponge, Lucky Boys Confusion, Mustard Plug, Primer 55, Bliss 66, The Hard Lessons, The Dirty Americans.
Other accomplishments of The Outer Vibe:
- Headlined the 18th annual National Baby Food Festival with Lonestar (Fremont, MI)
- Headlined the 16th annual Harborfest with Barrington "Bo" Henderson of The Temptations (South Haven, MI)
- Winners of the 2008 97.5 WJIM Hometown Rock Crown Contest (Lansing, MI)
- Winners of the 2005 101.3 WFOX Aris Hampers Hometown Rock Search (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Winners of the 2005 91.5 WHMW Central Michigan University Battle-of-the-bands (Mt. Pleasant, MI)
- Winners of the 2004 97.9 WGRD Big Break Cont
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