Though This Beautiful Republic is no longer a band, they still made some pretty good music while they were together. Most of the band went to high school together, so they're friends as well as band-mates--something that I think shows through in a band's music. Really, the best person to describe how the band sounds would be someone from the band and Ben Olin's words were "Take Silverchair and put in some Jimmy Eat World and you get sweaty, honest rock that has great melody, driving guitars, and other cool guitar stuff." The band has had some pretty large successes with several of their tracks and has played some large events, including Creation. Their songs have a fairly mainstream sound instrumentally; just good, smooth rock. The vocals behind This Beautiful Republic are very melodic, on the softer side, and are definitely oriented around singing sincerely about God and about faith.
My God
Right Now
Surrender Saved My Life
Monday Morning Derek Stipe-lead vocals, Justin Blythe-guitar, Kevin Stipe-bass, Kent Rector-drums
There hasn't been much heard from this band recently, but the few tracks that they have out are worth going back for. They could be best described as a Christian alternative rock band, for that's definitely the kind of sound that they have. CHR had one of their songs as a Top Ten hit one year, which is quite impressive when you consider that a sizable portion of their music has been independently released. Their music moves at a medium-to-fast pace and has good guitar-work, but I think it is the vocals and the lyrics that drive their songs. Depending on the track to which you're listening, they can have catchy, upbeat lyrics with a quick tempo or (like on their track Vanity) slow, moody, and almost whiny (though not in a negative way) vocals.
Wonder of it All
Sunshine
Cool Hand Luke Mark Nicks-vocals/piano, Casey McBride-bass, Philip Smith-drums, Joey Holman-guitar
Cool Hand Luke is a unique and very interesting band. The band's last album "Of Man" was actually the effort of just Mark Nicks, with collaboration from 30 friends for various aspects of the album. When they were a band, they were known for playing their live shows with their backs to the crowds. I'm not sure why. Their music falls loosely into the categories of indie (which is a stretch for this blog, I know) or alternative rock. The band's vocal style is very much in line with the indie genre, while instrumentally, they can vary. Mark Nicks plays the piano on many tracks, giving the band a different kind of sound, but the guitar-work can steer the tracks towards more of an alternative sound. A good number of their songs are rather melancholy, or at least slow, if you're looking for some mood-type music.
Heroes Will Be Heroes
Wonder Tour
Rest for the Weary
