Review: Medications - All Your Favorite People In One Place

One of the most intriguing aspects of music is how easily it can transform one's mood. The right notes, at the right tempo, and all of a sudden, BAM! You're in a good mood. This 3 piece from Washington, DC knows exactly how to pull this off. Consisting of members of the now defunct band "Faraquet", Medications oddly enough, sounds a lot like Faraquet. It's peculiar how a band consisting of the same musicians can sound very similar. After the Faraquet breakup 2 of the founding members created Medications and while the sound is very similar, the new third wheel does add some new elements into the mix. A mere 6 months since the release of their Medications EP, they have returned with their first full length Your favorite people all in one place available now on Dischord.

While the music on this album does sound a lot like Faraquet and the Medications EP, the quirky time signatures and awkward vocal lines are quickly becoming a thing of the past, the songwriting maintains that same dry, yet clever feel, but it seems the band is slowly trying to forge a new identity. The album begins with Surprise! Which is arguably the single greatest opening track of all time, starting off as every 70s rock concert ended, a solid 4/4 beat with ascending guitars and thundering drums. Any band that has the guts to open their disc with a rock and roll finale gets extra points from me.

The production and dumbed down songwriting of this album is slightly disappointing, unless of course you are a classic rock fan. You can clearly hear the influence of early rock bands like Led Zeppelin, both on the production, and the songwriting. With drumming that is very evocative of Bonzo and very thin, vintage guitar tones. The album, just as the EP and all Faraquet material before it, has a very raw and uncut feel to it. Not raw in the St. Anger "we didn't even try" sense, but more along the lines of a live recording, the band sounds tight, but you can still pick out the playing nuances of each member, giving the band a very 'real' sound. If you're sick of pro-tools albums, this just might fit your prescription. (Pun intended, zing)

I think the classic rock influence shines strongest on the albums 9th track, I am the Harvest the opening feedback drops into a guitar riff that just screams Jimmy Page from miles away. You can almost see the band performing it in your head, after nearly 2 minutes of introduction guitar noodling, the vocals finally enter and the guitar takes a much needed break. The drumming really takes over on this track, as the guitar feedbacks during the verses and allows the drums and bass to dictate the rest of the song.

Your favorite people all in one place may not be a bold step into uncharted territory for this DC trio, but there's nothing wrong with a slow evolution. The music is solid and the band still appeals to their core fans while managing to remain fresh and interesting.

Overall: 7.1

Chris Elkjar is the founder of 'trust.me' an online music magazine for the enthusiast. He spends all of his spare time immersed in music, be it writing reviews, interviews with leading bands or writing his own music.

For more of his writing, check out Trust-Me.ca - Music for robots

---

Taking iPod Culture into Clubs as Well as Cyberspace: Jonny Rocket Interviewed by The G-Man

Already making plenty of noise in the marketplace is a new concept called Playlist, which exists both as a club and as an online music competition (see... Read More

Songs Await Singer

I Want To Grow Old With You (C)Chorus: I want to grow old with you... I want to still be there Someday, to share These things that... Read More

How to Improvise Using a Few Chords

When a painter is getting ready to paint, a color palette is usually chosen first. For example, if a forest is to be painted, the artist may... Read More

How To Play The Violin

This article gives the essential basics for how to play the violin. Generally violins are quite commonly available instruments and it is reasonably easy to rent or... Read More

Benatar and Geraldo - Still Rockin on a High Note

Most people look forward to the summer months because they bring warmer temperatures, vacations, outdoor gatherings, and longer days. Those are all fine and dandy, but what... Read More

George Winston and New Age Piano Playing

The first time I heard George Winston play back in the early 1980's I was blown away. I didn't know why I liked this music. All I... Read More

Learn To Play The Piano Better By Learning To Arrange Chords & Chord Progressions

Piano arranging is the process by which you take a written piece of music and rework it with chords, adding new bass accompaniment, fills, or even slightly... Read More

A Brief History of Fender Guitars

Perhaps no other guitar maker has touched the hearts of so many players and collectors as Fender. By producing excellent guitars at reasonable prices, Fender has been... Read More

Does Reading Make Music?

When you read music you are deciphering the printed page and transferring the information to the keyboard. You might say that you are decoding what the composer... Read More

The Irish Harp

The harp that once through Tara's halls the soul of music shed, now hangs as mute on Tara's walls, as if that soul were fled. So sleeps... Read More

How I Compose a Piece of Music

A number of people have asked about my own methodology for creating a complete piece of music at the piano. At the risk of oversimplification, the steps... Read More

How Many Songs Are In Your Pocket?

The portable MP3 player continues to be the hot item for those who want music on the go. I was talking to a teen the other day... Read More

Music For Self Improvement

Would you like to pop in a CD and have a better quality of life, and even self improvement? There are three ways you can use music... Read More

Bono: From Music To Fashion To Helping The Poor

U2s lead singer Bono isn't content with being part of a top band. Fashion and Music ? well I'm sure they can mix! Bono was born Paul... Read More

How to Start Your Own Band

Every once in awhile a guitar student will express a desire to be in a band someday.If this is your ambition too, then read on. Whether you're... Read More

How to Compose Your Own Music Using 8-bar Phrases

Some people think composing is this miraculous thing that only genius's do. What a myth! It's a skill that can be learned. What can't be learned is... Read More

Music and Healing: The Power of Meaningful Words and Music

We All Have a Favorite Piece of Music that Moves Us to a Special Place in Our Hearts. A Conversion About the Music We Love and How... Read More

Review: The Bled - Pass the Flask

Released in 2003, Pass the Flask turned this little quintet from Tucson, into a mainstream success overnight. Classifying this band as 'metalcore' or 'indie' or 'hardcore' is... Read More

Soul Band for a Party

Was the request six months ago, a sixtieth birthday party, the client said. It got me thinking. There is a whole untapped market out there for people... Read More

Your PC Is An Awesome Singer... If You Let It!

As an amateur songwriter, who struggles with a computer far from powerful enough to run the necessary software to record vocals of good quality, I have looked... Read More

Music as Therapy?

Frustrated in a gridlocked?Job got you stressed out?The children have you going crazy?You pop in your favorite tune and you take a deep breath and as if... Read More

14 Ways Musicians Can Increase Their Tips

I was listening to NPR the other day when they did a report on tipping in the restaurant industry. One they had a list of tips on... Read More

An Introduction to CD Mastering

While many people think that the mixing of the separate audio tracks is the final step, a recording must be mastered well in order to sound good.... Read More

Making Music As A Lefty

Author Interview with Ryan Thomson, seacoast New Hampshire resident, and author of a new book advocating left handed violin playing by lefties. - Playing Violin and Fiddle... Read More

Adults Can Learn to Play the Piano Too

Are you well past puberty and have always had a hankering for tickling the ivories? Maybe you didn't have the money as a child. Or your family... Read More

Building A Good Relationship With Your Guitar

The guitar is considered the friendliest musical instrument there is. It is because the guitar is the handiest musical instrument that could stand on its own. A... Read More