Madina Lake “Attics to Eden” caught my attention upon it’s release, (May 5, 2009), by the front cover artwork. Anytime a band puts thought and/or creativity to use, with their album cover art, just motivates me to investigate the music inside the album further. I ventured to RoadRunner Records.com to give a listen to a few of the songs from “Attics to Eden”. I knew going in that Madina Lake is not a full throttle Metal band… not a Metal band at all… far from it. Madina Lake are an above decent, Alternative/Post Punk Rock Band with plenty of quality songs, in my Metal opinion. The key to expanding my Heavy Music collection and interests is to just plain research an album before you buy it. I am quite content at picking up Madina Lake’s newest album, both the music and lyrics are well thought out and written. Madina Lake has obviously paid attention to detail, with song structure, on “Attics to Eden”. There are no run ons or whining with these songs either, (again, in my Metal opinion). It seems to me, that Madina Lake was not interested in putting any filler songs on this album, that is always a great move for any band. What I walk away from, each time I listen to Madina Lake, is that they walk that fine line of being both commercially accessible and extremely current sounding, while still grasping and holding onto, enough hardness in their music to satisfy my taste.
Madina Lake is obviously a younger band, yet the current and/or new textured sound to their songs is what differentiates them from being gobbled up by the status quo. It is 2009, I not only want to stay current with the younger bands… I need to. There is that part of me that does not want to be left behind in this vast world of Heavy Music. Honestly, there are stacks of Heavy bands out there today, that are fresh and new that just don’t do it for me. My not acknowledging on Metal Odyssey the bands that I feel are bland and yawn inducing, saves me from wasting precious time. Madina Lake is no waste of time for my ears. Taking a melodic and harmonious Alternative Rock detour, from the very heavy and Extreme Music that I listen to regularly, is essential for me, doing so keeps me musically grounded and open minded. Madina Lake “Attics to Eden” is one of those Alternative Rock detours I am referring to. To make an analogy, it is like enjoying watching horror movies, I need to watch a comedy and/or suspense thriller every so often as well. (Throw in a History Channel documentary too).
“Never Take Us Alive” is the opening song on this album, the upbeat Rock feel and inspired lyrics makes this album start off on the right note. “Statistics” is a steady rocker for me, along with “Let’s Get Outta Here” if I am to choose a few notables. Madina Lake took some influence from The Offspring, on “Let’s Get Outta Here”, especially with the chorus. “Legends” and “Criminals” are strong contenders for being my favorite songs on the entire album, both examples of the fortified confidence level that Madina Lake plays at musically. “Through The Pain” has “that hit” sound and feel seeping from it’s every nook and cranny. “Attics to Eden” is without question, a melodic and musically sound song trip. Madina Lake touching on the human spirit lyrically only pronounces more relevance with each listen, even for this middle aged Metalhead.
Madina Lake, as they appear on “Attics to Eden”: Nathan Leone on vocals, Matthew Leone on bass, Mateo Camargo on guitars & programming and Dan Torelli on drums.
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