Fall Out Boy worshippers—or those that sound unmistakably so—are fucking depressing, especially those that are from around these parts. Nothing personal against four-piece Snowsera and the band’s “Fiction” EP, but it’s pretty awful, and especially upsetting because these guys seem like they have the talent to create something meaningful and memorable. Bill Arteaga’s voice is certainly strong enough—and the rest of the band appears to have the chops—but the group’s influences are in all the wrong places. It’s probably too easy and admittedly a bit lazy to immediately compare Snowsera to Fall Out Boy, but it was definitely the first thing to come to mind, and when I hear a song like the band’s “24,” much like every time I hear that “Beat It” cover, I want to shoot myself in the face. (And also, let’s officially retire the song title “Runaway,” there’s simply too many in existence.) “Darling,” Snowsera’s ballad-like entry, is not entirely boring, as there’s a nice vocal harmony in the chorus that’s impressive and indicates the band’s better than this. Best case scenario, it’s the first time out for the band and these guys will learn from their mistakes. Worst case, teenage girls fall in love and they become the next Plain White T’s. Eewww, shiver. Shiver. (Tom Lynch)
February 20 at Metro, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203, at 6:30pm. $8.
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Still Breathtaking: A Preview of Sting at Ravinia Festival Sting's solo catalog boasts more than a dozen studio albums. He may not rack up the hit singles like he once did, but he remains a compelling writer, musician and performer.
Fall Out Boy worshippers—or those that sound unmistakably so—are fucking depressing, especially those that are from around these parts. Nothing personal against four-piece Snowsera and the band’s “Fiction” EP, but it’s pretty awful, and especially upsetting because these guys seem like they have the talent to create something meaningful and memorable. Bill Arteaga’s voice is certainly strong enough—and the rest of the band appears to have the chops—but the group’s influences are in all the wrong places. It’s probably too easy and admittedly a bit lazy to immediately compare Snowsera to Fall Out Boy, but it was definitely the first thing to come to mind, and when I hear a song like the band’s “24,” much like every time I hear that “Beat It” cover, I want to shoot myself in the face. (And also, let’s officially retire the song title “Runaway,” there’s simply too many in existence.) “Darling,” Snowsera’s ballad-like entry, is not entirely boring, as there’s a nice vocal harmony in the chorus that’s impressive and indicates the band’s better than this. Best case scenario, it’s the first time out for the band and these guys will learn from their mistakes. Worst case, teenage girls fall in love and they become the next Plain White T’s. Eewww, shiver. Shiver. (Tom Lynch)
