Beaten Awake
Thunderstroke
Fat Possum Records (2009)
Some bands exist both inside a scene and outside the sound of the given scene. Beaten Alive are one of those bands. They are a band from Ohio identifying with the garage scene of their state sharing friend The Black Keys. This is where most of the normal characteristics end. While there is a touch of garage rock and some of that attitude in their songs for the most part the sound exists outside of that convention. They incorporate keyboards (not organs) and play with an ear for sensible melodies and hooks rather than reckless abandon. This is where we begin to see the sound open up for Beaten Awake. The keyboards are a big piece of the Beaten Alive puzzle. They exist in nearly every song in one way or another. They provide a nice if not necessary counterpoint to the guitars and help to set the band apart in a big way. The guitars rely on bluesy scales that is conventional for most garage rock. the guitars help to lead the songs along never getting too overdriven or distorted to get nasty. The drumming and bass is slightly different than most of this style. the drums are quick … Read more
Big D and the Kids Table
Fluent In Stroll
Side One Dummy (2009)
I have to admit that normally I am not a big horns fan. It really has to take the song … Read more
Gateway District
Some Days You Get The Thunder
It's Alive (2009)
What would a new band that features members of Banner Pilot, The Soviettes, Off With Their Heads, and Dear Landlord … Read more
