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Tied For Second is an explosive five-piece band that has combined influences from pop, hardcore and punk into a musical masterpiece. While utilizing some of the best of these traditional genres, Tied For SecondÃs creative edge produces a sound that is everything but traditional. Since their conception in August of 2003, Tied For Second has quickly gained a great deal of attention throughout the midwest, playing with nationally renowned bands including The All American Rejects, Army of Freshmen, F-Minus, The Beautiful Mistake, Senses Fail, Northstar, 7-10 Split, Vaux, and Yellowcard. Their artful blend of style, intense emotion, and dedication to rock and roll has attracted fans from all over and of all kinds. If you have an appreciation for creative musicianship combined with depth, talent and emotion, Tied For Second will not disappoint. This is a review on "Hopes & Dreams"- From the trenches of Oklahoma City comes Tied For Second, a post-hardcore band that flirts with pop tendencies and has a knack for providing some of the catchiest musical hooks in Oklahoma City's music scene. All rolled into one, this five-piece band creates a sound that's not easily forgotten while bringing an intense musical experience that cannot be ignored. Released on Oklahoma City based Medic Records, "Hopes and Dreams" is a very impressive first album from Tied For Second. From the production quality to the technical musicianship, "Hopes and Dreams" sounds just as good as some of the albums recently put out by nationally recognized acts in the past year. The band's rhythm section pushes aside conventional tactics and utilizes their own influences and skills to present a terrific barrage of harmonious intentions. From pretty and content to brash and artful, guitarists Josh McCleskey and Nick Myrick offers something for everyone who adores the melodic hardcore genre. All the while bassist Geoff Kresbsbach keeps the melody graceful, adding in a few bass hooks every now and again to keep the sound crisp. One of the best pieces of Tied For Second is drummer Adam Myrick. Although he has the tendency to hog the limelight, he keeps the beats simple yet memorable. He doesn't show off to the point where he becomes sloppy, and he allows the other musicians to reveal their skills without looming over them. Vocalist Chase Uhl offers a sweet yet melancholy tone to the music, providing soft whispers and emotional outbursts throughout the album. He puts his best foot forward each time he meets the mic, and does quite well conveying what the band is representing. Both guitarists also lend their talents as background vocalists, planting well placed screams here and there over Uhl's singing, which helps bring out the intensity and emotion of Tied For Second's music. The only aspect of Tied for Second and "Hopes and Dreams" that doesn't jump out and grab you are their lyrics. They're not as inventive as some may hope for, and more creativity would have been appreciated. However, keeping in mind that the band is a little over a year old and that their members have just finished high school, Tied For Second has world's amount of potential that can catapult them to a national level. While listening to this album, it will be hard to remember that Tied For Second is only a local act. "Hopes and Dreams" doesn't sound like a first recording; it sounds clean, tight and is very well produced. And as Medic Records' first signed act, both parties exhibit a lot of promise for placing Oklahoma City on the map If "Hopes and Dreams" is any indication of what's to come from Tied For Second and Medic Records, then the future will sound as good as it looks. Rating: 4/5 For more information: www.tiedforsecond.com www.medicrecords.com Check out the artist's website: http://www.medicrecords.com Track List: 1. How Can This Hurt? 2. Together 3. Broken Mirrors and Empty Sunsets 4. Forever 5. Ground Upon Impact 6. Never Be the Same Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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