Alice In Wonderland Soundtrack Review

If appealing to a mass audience was Disney's goal with Tim Burton's upcoming flick, Alice In Wonderland, then job well done. From the looks of it, this movie should be a hit with kids and adults alike. Who couldn't love a live action adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic? But Disney one-uped itself by calling on an all-star cast of musicians for the movie's soundtrack.

Just check out some of the names - Mark Hoppus (blink-182), Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy), Robert Smith (The Cure), Motion City Soundtrack, All Time Low and Franz Ferdinand just to name a few.

The CD, entitled Almost Alice, wastes no time letting its punk-rock roots show. The All-American Rejects grace the number two spot on the record with a soft, yet catchy, song entitled, "The Poison." Emo-pop swallows the remainder of the first half. Owl City adds a sugary little number, as bizarre, and yet as strangely infatuating as the Mad Hatter himself. All Time Low's "Painting Flowers" sounds surprisingly grown up, hinting that maybe this band can save itself from their bubblegum persona.

The second half of the record takes a dark turn with its opener, "Very Good Advice", performed by The Cure's Robert Smith. Its discordant verses and moody lyrics set the tone for what's to come. The Mark Hoppus/Pete Wentz collaboration entitled, "In Transit" boasts a haunting melody reminiscent of +44's "Weatherman." Further down the tracklisting, Motion City Soundtrack add the knockout punch. "Running Out Of Time" proves to be the catchiest song on the album, mixing melodic guitars with Tony Thaxton's signature drumming.

The record does fall flat in a few spots, though. Avril Lavigne's opener is a whirlwind of verses that work, and then choruses that are far too overstretched and whiny. Then there's Shinedown. Umm... enough said on that one.

Overall though, Almost Alice is a good record, especially seeing as it's a movie soundtrack. Usually you won't find something this fluid and fitting on any compilation.

You can check out clips from each song here, or on the sampler above. The record is due out on March 2, only three days before the movie hits theaters. I know I can't wait. In the meantime, take a look at the tracklisting below:

1. Avril Lavigne - "Alice (Underground)"

2. All-American Rejects - "The Poison"

3. Owl City - "The Technicolor Phase"

4. Shinedown - "Her Name Is Alice"

5. All Time Low - "Painting Flowers"

6. Metro Station - "Where's My Angel"

7. Tokio Hotel & Kerli - "Strange"

8. 3OH!3 featuring Neon Hitch - "Follow Me Down"

9. Robert Smith - "Very Good Advice"

10. Mark Hoppus & Pete Wentz - "In Transit"

11. Plain White T's - "Welcome To Mystery"

12. Kerli - "Tea Party"

13. Franz Ferdinand - "The Lobster Quadrille"

14. Motion City Soundtrack - "Running Out Of Time

15. Wolfmother - "Fell Down a Hole"

16. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - "White Rabbit"

Motion City Soundtrack Interview/CD Review

Long time, no see. Blame it on the cold or my lack of enthusiasm, but writing has been quite a burden the past month. Maybe that's because nothing of any real importance has happened in the scene lately. The winter doldrums, if you will. Nothing, that is to say, until this past week.

Tuesday marked the release of Motion City Soundtrack's highly anticipated new record, My Dinosaur Life.

The 12-track album is just what the rockers needed to reestablish themselves as punk frontrunners. It's darkly humorous, yet surprisingly catchy.

My Dinosaur Life takes its listener on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, seemingly symbolic of not only lead singer Justin Pierre's life, but MCS' musical journey thus far. The band established themselves back in 2003 with I Am The Movie, took off in 2005 with some help from friend/producer Mark Hoppus on Commit This To Memory and then fell under the radar in 2007 with their last release, Even If It Kills Me.

After a period of quiet reflection, the band came back swinging, citing they had gone back to Hoppus for help with their upcoming album. As hype grew, the band took some unconventional ways of promoting themselves. Pierre spent much of last fall hosting a solo impromptu tour across the US. They also released the singles "Disappear" and "Her Words Destroyed My Planet" to a hungry fan base - who no doubt latched on to the new material.

All this led to this past Tuesday. And lucky for us Boston fans, MCS held an in-store performance at the original Newbury Comics. The store was packed to the gills with kids who graciously sang along to songs like "LG FUAD" and "Fell In Love With You". MCS also played a myriad of new songs, showing their obvious strength and excitement over the new record.

After the surprisingly long set, the band hung around to sign autographs for everyone and their mothers (yes, I did see some mothers there). Casually upbeat, the Minneapolis five-piece took pictures and chatted about everything from music to Pierre's newest project - learning to speak Japanese. Yes people, it's for real, and he's quite good at it, too.

After the crowds cleared, I caught up with bassist Matt Taylor while he shopped for some used CDs. We talked music and he answered some questions which can be seen above. Check it out, and most of all, go get Motion City's latest, My Dinosaur Life. You won't regret it.

Songs To Download: A Lifeless Ordinary (Need A Little Help), Stand Too Close, Hysteria

Worth A Thousand Words

I've come to learn over the past few years that words aren't the only way to tell a story. Sometimes a simple photograph can express more than words ever could. And in this post, I'll be giving you a glance into the "scene," as well as the last four years of my life, through my own personal collection of photos. Some were attempts at being artsy, and some were just plain mistakes. Nevertheless, they're the favorites of my collection. Enjoy...

Webster Theatre Marquee - Hartford, CT

Summer '07

Bayside's setlist - November '08

Showcase Live - Foxborough, MA

Anthony Raneri of Bayside - November '08

Showcase Live - Foxborough, MA

Anthony Raneri & Chris Guglielmo of Bayside - November '08

Showcase Live - Foxborough, MA

Side-stage at blink-182 - Hartford, CT

August '09

Tom DeLonge of blink-182 - Hartford, CT

August '09

Mark Hoppus & Tom DeLonge of blink-182 - Hartford, CT

August '09

Mark Hoppus of blink-182 - Hartford, CT

August '09

Joseph Hamilton of So They Say - August '07

Vans Warped Tour - Mansfield, MA

Joseph Hamilton of So They Say - August '07

Vans Warped Tour - Mansfield, MA

Marko DeSantis of Sugarcult - October '07

Framingham Civic League - Framingham, MA

Marko DeSantis' pedalboard - October '07

Framingham Civic League - Framingham, MA

Christian McAlhaney of Anberlin - February '07

Axis - Boston, MA

Christian McAlhaney of Anberlin - February '07

Axis - Boston, MA

Stephen Christian of Anberlin - February '07

Axis - Boston, MA

Thank you to anyone who was there by my side at any one of these shows, or the countless others that I've seen in the past few years. They were the best days of my life.

Taking Back Sunday - Band Of The Year 2009

It's always been an uphill battle for Taking Back Sunday. Whether it be the constant rivalry with that other Long Island band, or the slew of line-up changes that leave you guessing who's playing guitar, TBS have seen it all. But this year they put that all behind them and dropped one of the best records we heard in '09. And for that, Backstage Press is pleased to reward them with Band of the Year for 2009.

It's been a few years since we've heard from TBS. After ex-guitarist Fred Mascherino left the band back in October of 2007, TBS went into hiding. It seemed like we would never hear from this punk-rock powerhouse again. But that all changed when guitarist Matt Fazzi joined up. Their next step - writing a new record.

New Again was released in June, and quickly propelled TBS back into the ranks of punk-rock stardom. To those of us in New England, their concerts became an almost monthly occurrence for the rest of the summer. Let's take a look back.

It all started this past May when the band set out on the road to give fans a preview of their yet-to-be-released album. Of the three or four cities that were graced with this opportunity, Boston was one of them. TBS spent the day in and around the Hub, letting fans hop on their tour bus for a quick listen, snag a free t-shirt and score some autographs. I was personally at the Danvers, MA stop, and I can say it was one of the coolest experiences of my life.

Cut to late June and the band were busy headlining a tour with Anberlin and Envy

On The Coast. After being a fan for nearly six years, I finally got to see TBS live. Two nights, two shows. New Hampshire and Boston. Different set lists each night let the local scene hear both old and new tracks. TBS were quickly slated to become the soundtrack to my summer.

By mid-July, Boston was just starting to regain their hearing. And that's when the Long Island natives strolled through town again, this time offering a free concert at City Hall Plaza as part of the Dew Tour.

Then in August, TBS opened for one of the biggest shows all summer - the

blink-182 reunion tour. You had to drive a bit to see them, Hartford to be exact, but it was well worth it. They owned the stage that night as almost 20,000 fans packed the amphitheater.

After four consecutive months of shows you'd think the band would take a break. Not these guys. They came back in November for their last hurrah. They brought out Anberlin and the All-American Rejects for an arena tour that blew the speakers. In fact, I'm still in awe over that show.

Besides the amazing musicianship that this party of five possess, it's their off-stage character that helped them clench Band of the Year. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with these guys a few times over the course of '09, and I've got to admit they are some of the most humble and accommodating dudes I've ever met.

So here's to you Taking Back Sunday. Thanks for the music, the showmanship and the constant entertainment. Congratulations, you've earned it.

December Is For Cynics

Well folks, that evil time of year is upon us again. "The Holidays" as they're now called, are to blame for every crappy song you hear out in the world nowadays. Trust me, I hate it as much as the next guy, but I was able to find a happy medium with Christmas music a few years back, and I figure I'll let you all in on my secret.

Let me introduce you to A Santa Cause: It's a Punk Rock Christmas - a 25 track album packed with some of the best holiday music you'll ever hear. The lineup includes everyone from Something Corporate to From First To Last, MxPx to Matchbook 

Romance, and many more. 

I originally bought this compilation back in the winter of '04 so that I could snag blink-182's contribution, a 3-minute track entitled, "I Won't Be Home For Christmas". But every year around this time, I throw this CD back in my car and somehow manage to find a song/band that I had no clue were on there. This year's find, Saosin's "Mookie's Last Christmas".

A Santa Cause has got a little something for everyone, though. If you're into slower acoustic-type punk, be sure to check out Something Corporate's "Forget December" or Acceptance's rendition of "So This Is Christmas". They're

perfect to mellow out to over a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

Want something that's going to make you jump up and down? No worries. New Found Glory's "Ex-Miss" is as pop-punk infused as Christmas can get. Unless of course you should happen upon the album's seventh track, "Christmas Night of Zombies" by MxPx. With lyrics like: Christmas night of the living dead/their faces green and the snow is red, you're bound to be wanting to kick some ass. Besides, zombies are all the rage this year. Score!

And don't think Santa has forgotten about all you good little emo kids. Oh yes, Fall Out Boy even grace this compilation. "Yule Shoot Your Eye Out" will forever be the break-up anthem of Christmas. It's as catchy as any FOB song, and just as lyrically astounding. It's been one of my favorites since I got the CD. Oh, and as far as street cred goes, I was listening to this in '04 - before FOB blew up. (Writer sticks tongue out at reader and emos alike)

Other than that, the album packs in some pretty awesome tunes from The Matches, Punchline, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Gatsby's American Dream and more. It's a must have for any collector, punk-rocker or anyone who is sick of the same old crap every year. Plus, some proceeds go to a children's charity. So there ya go, you get new music and help some people out. What can be better?