Review: Veroncias Vail - 'Middle of Nowhere'
Posted: 02 December 2006Contributed By: Nick
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Veronicas
Veil is:
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Contributed By: Nick
Overview: Rock music has seen a saturation of female fronted rock bands within the past few years, as groups such as Flyleaf, Otep, and most notably Evanescence have managed to make quite a splash in the industry. In March 2006, Jacksonville, Florida's Veronica's Veil was born, and once front woman Jordyn Jackson joined the fold in June 2006, the band was armed with a perfectly honed dual male and female vocal assault, and began creating quite a buzz for themselves. Veronica's Veil has sold out a litany of Florida clubs, luring several interested labels, and have managed to move over 8,000 copies of this their debut EP, 'Middle of Nowhere'. The band is wrapping up 2006 with a bulk of shows throughout Florida.
The Good:
'Middle of Nowhere' is one of
the most balanced affairs one will ever listen
to. Jordyn Jackson and Randy Winter's vocals
are always fused in a tug-of-war pattern, which
never highlights one singer over the other.
Guitar work is fiercely destructive and choppy
on many parts of the disc, yet the writing is
still catchy and sleek enough to provide a dynamic
shell. Drums are tight and precise, as Ross's
double bass and cymbal work are immaculate in
embellishing the band's sound. Screams are perfectly
implemented, and the most blistering parts of
the album always catch you off guard. Choruses
are atmospheric and moody, allowing the listener
to become absorbed into the band's ingratiating
hooks. Each track on 'Middle of Nowhere'
is distinguishable, such as the driving "Echoes",
the rapid pace of "This Nightmare", and the
explosion of "All That's Left". Veronica's Veil's
use of electronic beats are used in just the
right amounts, aiding immensely to the group's
epic sound. Lyrically, the band is quite gifted,
allowing listeners to glean what they wish from
'Middle of Nowhere'.
The Bad: It really is hard
to fault a band of such high caliber. Veronica's
Veil really stray from so many of today's clichés
that it garnishes their sound with a stamp of
approval from the departments of originality
and creativity. If the band must receive a notch
on the docket, it would be the repetition of
using electronics to commence and close each
song, a tactic which is equivalent to splitting
hairs in the long run.
Bottomline: 'Middle of Nowhere'
is a magnificent record, and the saddest part
is that it is only comprised of six songs. Each
member of Veronica's Veil is uber talented and
has an exquisite touch to help make 'Middle
of Nowhere' such a grandiose recording.
Veronica's Veil is the best unsigned band I
have run across in 2006, and shockingly enough-they
have not even been a band this entire year.
'Middle of Nowhere' is truly a masterpiece.
Rating:
9.5 out of 10