The Last Good Year

So again, I want to apologize for how long it took me between posts. The University somehow managed to screw up the internet and thus I have been without it for nearly a month. Fortunately for you guys, I have found an AWESOME band that is worth the wait. The Last Good Year is a critically acclaimed unsigned band having won many awards including being nominated by Nuvo magazine as Indianapolis's "Best Local Group" as well as winning "Indy's Next Big Thing" battle of the bands. Their popularity has allowed them to travel the country and develop an even larger and well deserved following. I have had a lot of trouble thinking of bands to compare them to because they are truly a crossover between classic and modern rock; I would almost call them a crossover between Jet and Incubus. Listening to The Last Good Year is like hopping in a time machine and going back to when music was great, but with an updated sound that sullen teenagers could listen to.

The lead singer definitely has an incredible voice. Even when he sings higher and louder, he keeps his voice clear and natural. Out of all of the bands I have reviewed, this guy definitely has one of the best voices (maybe even the best). His voice actually reminds me a lot of Brandon Boyd of Incubus, especially when they really start to belt they sound almost exactly the same, and personally I think that is a huge compliment (and is also why i think they sound a little bit like Incubus). Their guitar playing is really good, they have a great combination of chords and moving lines. The lead guitarist is a pretty good soloist as well, I feel like he could be a little more creative but he does a good job of making his solos fit the chords and fit the feel of the song. The bass player is really strong, he does a great job of both walking and moving with the guitars as well as holding notes when he needs to. The guitars and the bass always work really well together which is HUGE. I've found that this type of cohesion is more rare than one would expect these days. The drummer is actually pretty good as well. I will say he has never done anything to wow me in the music I have heard thus far. However, he does a great job of pushing the band and keeping them together. He does throw in some pretty cool rhythms and sounds occasionally, so I have to give him props for that. To me, sometimes it feels like he may be relying on the snare a little too much, but really truly I can't fault him because it doesn't diminish the band and what he does sounds great with what everyone else is doing.

The Last Good Year has a pretty good live show. They have a stellar live sound and their levels are always good, but their backup vocals could use a little work because sometimes they come in on the wrong note. Luckily for them, only a little more practice can fix that. They generally do a good job of moving around when the lead singer isn't singing, which keeps it entertaining. The bass and the lead guitar could do a little more while they are not singing though, sometimes they look a little lost on stage. When watching them, the band as a whole tends to bring a lot of energy early in the song, then it dies down, until the end of the song when they get pumped up again. Like most bands, they need to keep the energy up during the entire song; unless, of course, it is a slower song. Yeah, I know it is tiring, but the crowd loves it. I know what I've said seems a little negative, but this band is a MUST SEE SHOW, the music is awesome and they are only going to get better on stage which means that this is one show you don't want to miss!

Now it comes down to the grade, this band, flat out is one of the best I have reviewed. They have lots of talent, they have great cohesion, and make awesome music together. Like all bands, they aren't perfect, but they can only get better and I guarantee that they will be signed. Their live show is good, their music is awesome, what more could any listener want? So finally, I will give them an 8.5/10, once they work out a few things in their live show, they are easily a 9/10. SO CHECK THEM OUT before they get famous and everything associated with them becomes ridiculously expensive: web, myspace, like them on facebook or +1 them on google+. Don't forget to support them by buying their music, the link to their self titled album is posted under Band CD's and Downloads.

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