Reviews: Cornflames - The Farewell Drive
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Jersey Beat (http://www.jerseybeat.com)
This Belgium quartet can punk rock well. Biting guitar riffs and melodic vocals keep the ears happy in this 8-song, half hour long release. Brings back a lot of the memories of the Ramones in their movie soundtrack days. Needless to say comparisons to current groups like Green Day and Jimmy Eat World creep into their reviews on a regular basis. This band could easily tear up the college charts and find their way onto a bigger label with wider distribution. Seems like all they need to do is cross the ocean and start the madness.
Raw Nerve (http://www.RawNervePromotions.co.uk)
The oddly named Belgian 4 piece Cornflames are brought to our attention as Engineer Records (ex-Ignition) number 43, and imagine if dEUS were an emo rock band for an example of their sound. Vocally there is a similarity, maybe down to the accent and tones, and there is a little bit of quirkiness in the construction of the songs and the vocal pattern that also render the mid 90's art rock marvels as a possible comparison.
Mostly though, this falls neatly into the emo rock genre, ala Whirlpool (especially during 'Soften the Blow') mixed with the indie pop of A, although definitely there is more of a mature sound. 'This connecting wire' has some cool thoughts in the drum subtleties.
Not something I would particularly listen to through choice as i prefer the more gritty old school emo bands such as Bob Tilton, Small Brown Bike or Sensefield, but a decent listen nonetheless.
Euro Punk (http://www.europunk.net)
Cornflames have always been around and yet I never really took notice of them until recently. Shame on me really but I long since have accepted you can't have it all in life. Still, discovering this band late is probably better than never. They already had a record out prior to this one, back in 2000 by the name of "Tonight, Soon Or Forever" and although that record is in my possession I never really got round to reviewing it. Sorry bout that, as a lot of you could have discovered this band way earlier. It took the band about a year to finalise every track for this 28 minutes-lasting 8-tracker, which really reflects itself on the production quality. Far from bad, which goes for the entire and general opinion of the album.
Thing is, this album does have its faults. It's far from perfect but it does make for an easy enjoyable listen. Overall, there is just not enough variation in their songs to keep my waning interest for more than 3 or 4 tracks at a time. I've said this time and time again but I like my music with a little more spark really. Call me a patriot, or someone who contradicts himself all the time, but Cornflames have the weapons to meet up with most of the overseas bands and come rather unscathed out of a direct face-off really. Strong point of the "Flames" are clearly the dual Hot Water Music like voices, that alternatively add to spin an enchanting cobweb around the compositions that constantly pry for an immediate catchiness with Eppo's raw spiritful yet full and warm vocals complementing Jeroen's hoarse melancholic singing like no other. It's this duality that to the largest part sums up the originality and appeal that emmanates off the "Flames'" album. Upon first listen, you could easily mistake Cornflames for a seasoned American outfit really, as it sounds very reminiscent of their overseas counterparts. Especially opener "The Speakers" is a gem of a track that might have many of you Jimmy Eat World and Get Up Kids fans wetting yourselves with appetite upon hearing. Big references I admit, but Cornflames might just be the band that might rise out to the occasion. Soothing and melancholic emotive rock with some pop influences is what's on your plate with the Cornflames.
All in all, an essential release for anyone who is into any of the bands mentioned in the review above but a bit bland to my personal taste because of a lack of variation within the songs and too many calm parts that lack some powerful and captivating guitars to make up for it. Once again though, this is personal taste, as the Cornflames breathe decency throughout and if they can build on their well-earned live reputation and dig deep into their songwriting aspect they might just go very very far.
Source Lost During Site Update
This is a power pop four piece that are going to be huge. Imagine a catchy Hot Water Music song with the simple sing-a-long rock sensibilities of Jawbreaker and you are getting there. Do yourself a favour and get this CD now and go see them soon.
Rocksound Magazine
"I thought the speakers were speaking to me". Great line. It's such a special feeling when music has that effect on you, and that sums it up without sounding gay.
So, Belgian emo? Well, these guys have it sussed. All the catchy hooks and addictive touches of the better Jimmy eat world songs, but it also has a vibe. That unknown x-factor. Especially in the guitars and the vocal melodies. Both have a heavy mournful feeling, but this album never dips into whingeing.
It's one thing to put all this emotion into songs, but the bottom line is, it still has to be a great song otherwise you may as well be a poet, right? That's a combination many bands don't seem to grasp, but Cornflames understand it alright. This stuff doesn't usually flick my switch, but 'the farewell drive" has every light blazing.
Shadow Zine (http://www.shadowzine.tk)
I thought the speakers would speak tonight...A Belgian emo-rock band! Damn, who can surprise a man these days with such music? Well, to be honest, from the first minute I listened to the CD I was in heaven. Those songs have such a good sound and have a great impact with their emotion that they make a person think.
I also saw Cornflames at the Funtime festival in Leuven and they gave a good live act! There was a lot of fun (that's why it's called Funfest ;)).
But OK, lets start to review this CD. Cornflames gives you rock 'n' roll tuned music with some emotional lyrics on it.
They have 2 singer/guitarists and that gives the music a ittle twist. The album contains 8 songs and you can say that they are each totally different but they all can be placed under one theme. And that theme is for every person different. When you can play an album and it will turn you in a certain atmosphere, than I must say that the album deserves a place in your personal collection.
They played a lot of shows with great names like Jimmy Eat World, Elliot, . They worked 1 year on this album (without playing gigs.) and they finally came up with this great album. Just go to their website and download their 'the Farewell Drive" song 'soften To Blow". And be amazed.
Give yourself the time to check this album out and you will not be disappointed.
Munchkin Music (http://www.munchkinmusic.com)
It's been three years since Funtime Records released their first album "..Tonight, soon or forever". That album already convinced a lot of music lovers of the qualities of this Belgian band. Now, it took me just those 28 minutes and 28 seconds to realize that the follow-up of their debut is far better.
In an overcrowded emo/indie/collegerock/whatever-scene, the Cornflames manage to bring almost all good things of that specific type of music together in 8 songs, and give their own twist to it. With a lot of variation in the songs, melody and harmony, the constant changing of lead vocals between guitarists Eppo and Jeroen and the catchy compositions, this turned out to be a record which I personally consider somewhat the best Belgian release this year.
So, fans of Hot Water Music, Get Up Kids and Jimmy Eat World: hurry your asses to the nearest record store and get this record! If you can't get it wherever you're from, order it.
Wmtd-Ezine (http://www.wmtd-zine.com)
Looking at the simple but kinda weird artwork from this cd I didn't quite know what to expect from it. What I got this time around was some excellent indie/emo college rock in the vein of The Get Up Kids and Hot Water Music. And to my surprise it was done very, very well.
Eight songs of melancholic, emotion driven rock songs accompanied with great lyrics and a good production. Excellent release on Funtime Records.
