Everytime I listen to a comp CD I start thinking to myself "man that band is good, wish I could hear a second song." Jason Milburn from Burning Records must have read my thoughts. His new label has put out a 19 track comp CD that contains 8, yes only 8 bands. The majority of the bands here have 3 tracks with some having 2 and a couple that have 1. You get to seriously know whether or not you dig a band with this CD!
Highlights on this CD are without a doubt Vessel, Broken Free, Children of Promise, and Something to Fight For. Eephus is one of the one track bands and I like their song but it's slow and soft most of the time, and leads me to believe this is very different from the vast majority of their music, but without a second track who's to say. Indiana is some kind of indie rock band, can't tell you whether they are good or not I find myself skipping those tracks...quickly (must be related to someone to get on this decidedly hardcore comp). Undermind offers a KILLER track that is creepy shock rock style of music similar to say Coal Chamber stuff really, kind of doesn't fit this comp either but I like this band.
The big problem with this CD is stated on the back where it says "8 bands, 19 songs, a collection of demos." That last part there...the "collection of demos" part. That means you get hugely varying production levels, volume levels, etc. Some are great tracks, with fine production, then comes one that has terrible production, then to mediocre production. Most of the bands presented however are pretty darn good, just some of them you have to listen a little more closely to in order to hear it.
Burning Records has found them some good talent here, once the full lengths and split CDs start coming this is going to be a label to watch! In the mean time this CD will help you keep your ears to the ground.
7/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #84Reviewed by Rick KochIf you like hardcore, this could be a compilation for you. Right off the bat you can tell that these bands aren't playing around, they came to rock and to scream. The compilation doesn't have the variety of hard-core as you would say [Tooth and Nail's] Cheapskates has, except for the band Indiana, which has a surprisingly awesome soft rock sound. 8 bands and 19 tracks that can replace your alarm…Bandoppler 2000Reviewed by Earl CampbellThe debut album from upstart Burning Records, Ears to the Ground is a good beginning. A lot of work was put into this disc, and it features medium to high quality production values and great packaging: nice graphics, very informative, etc. Billed as "Local Bands. Solid Music." Burning Records delivers on their promise, and does indeed bring us a solid sampling of the PA underground scene, with…
