-
AbsolutePunk.net review of Sleepless EP
[+ Show ]
As music consumers, we so often relish in the task of trying to set apart a band as one-to-watch, an...As music consumers, we so often relish in the task of trying to set apart a band as one-to-watch, and/or which band will become the next big thing. More often than not, this quest forces us to wade through releases that are often underwhelming and mediocre. Neither of those sentiments though can be said about the eight song EP Sleepless by Bronx, New York band A Moment’s Worth. Beginning with the hard-hitting opener “Unsound,” the quintet lets listeners know that their brand of ferocious rock is not to be taken lightly. The bass lines are energetic, the drums are propulsive, and the guitar riffs are fiery. Lead vocalist Alex Bondarev, whose vocals are restrained for much of the eight songs, allows the music to take center stage, and lets his voice take second fiddle to the extremely proficient playing. In truth, Bondarev’s voice is underutilized and should have taken the forefront, especially when he sings lyrics like: “And I've chosen this existence where we're always racing time / And we're running on pure passion / Leaving everything and everyone behind.”
Whereas some bands are loud for the sake of being loud, A Moment’s Worth kicks up the sonic level without sacrificing musicianship. Every minute of the record is incredibly cohesive, as if to assume that the band has been playing together for a dozen years (they’ve actually been a band since 2003), and that making music is something they could do in their sleep, without even mustering any energy. So often reviewers pass along the words effortless without giving it any real consideration, but the way in which the five players put together rhythm and melody on second song “Zero.Four.One,” it's apparent, the endeavor really is effortless. Third song “Too Far, Too Long,” may be the only dud, but it’s allowed to be, as fourth track “Sleepless,” and fifth track “My Lost Self,” steal the show and cement this band as a serious contender for major label status. In “Sleepless,” Bondarev sings of an apocalyptic like moment, “And I was at home with my whole family / And we watched as the streets filled with smoke / And the TV had spoken of death and confusion / And what we should do for the bombs they were using.”
Ingeniously, the band doesn’t allow "Sleepless" to end and the song flows directly into “My Lost Self,” almost making it one long eight-minute track. Whereas "Sleepless," was infectious, achingly catchy and built around a memorable guitar riff, "My Lost Self," is built on Bondarev's vocals, which soar above a hodgepodge of electronic and synth noises. Both "Sleepless" and "My Lost Self" are the album's crowning achievements and the only songs on which Bondarev's vocals stand above. The back-to-back segue is an incredible trick that made me listen to the disc a few times to actually realize the nuance was occurring. Sixth track “Exit With a Desperate Cry” is a minute of a gentle guitar riff while vocalist Bondarev delivers barely audible spoken word verses. The song serves as a lead in to the ferocious album closer “Cross My Heart,” which draws on much of the same energy as the opener.
The album, which was recorded and produced by guitarist Nicola Terzulli, also bristles with the sparking gloss of a major label album and proves that the band is as adept behind the knobs as it is in performing music. In it's five year history, the band has amassed a slew of low-level awards and a host of prominent endorsements. Major label status should hopefully come calling in due time.
-
YouSingIWrite.com Names A Moment's Worth Band of The Week
[+ Show ]
My friend and fellow blogger Monica Perry (you can read her blog of commentary and criticism on tele...My friend and fellow blogger Monica Perry (you can read her blog of commentary and criticism on television, film, and music here) introduced me to Bronx, New York-based band A Moment's Worth last week, thinking I'd like what I heard. Boy was she right. Playing a mix of pop punk, the band blends gritty guitar with infectious vocals.
Combining fitting emotion throughout each track, AMW's sing along choruses recall early Yellowcard and The Ataris. With lyrics, "You know I used to be that guy who'd stay up with you all night/And the next day write a song to save his friends/And we used to live our lives in our cars and Friday nights/But today it gets so easy to forget" throughout track "Zero. Four. One." nostalgia of high school and endless summer days abound.
Song after song, each track gets catchier the more listened to. A Moment's Worth is one of those bands that gets stuck in your head, but you really don't mind.
If their sing along anthems are any testament to this band, AMW is well on their way. Switching gears from previous tracks, "Unsound" encompasses fast guitar with more angst-filled lyrics while "Catalina" is a slower ballad, reminiscent to that of a fairytale love song with it's beautiful and poetic metaphors.
While it's easy to picture A Moment's Worth headlining festivals like Bamboozle and Warped Tour in a few years, my bet's on this band. What do you think? Listen to 10 tracks on MySpace and see for yourself.
-
JANiE Blog Features A Moment's Worth
[+ Show ]
Latest Release: Sleepless
Track Stuck on Replay: "Too Far, Too Long"
Overall: It's customary for m...Latest Release: Sleepless
Track Stuck on Replay: "Too Far, Too Long"
Overall: It's customary for most fledgling bands of today (i.e. Plain White T's, Alien Ant Farm, Good Charlotte, Hoobastank, P.O.D., Simple Plan, Trapt, etc.) to fizzle out of commercial stardom and leave behind one great song as their legacy. Just like on the first day of school, we're introduced to new sounds all year long, but only a few make the cut into our exclusive inner circle, reaching the top ten of our Most Played list, getting recommended to all of our friends, and inspiring us to work extra hours to buy front row tickets. So eventually we identify what sets them apart from the rest. While A Moment's Worth may infuse every track with a healthy dose of optimism as every up-and-coming band does, they also manage to provide:
• no two tracks that sound the same
• relatable content with actual substance
• impressive manipulation of not only guitars and drums, but vocals
• a danceable track for your Monday pick-me-up ("My Lost Self")
• a scream anthem for your Friday vent session ("Sleepless")
• the closest thing to a heart-wrenching ballad that you'd ever let anyone catch you crying to ("Too Far, Too Long")
• and, most importantly, band member chemistry that ensures no signs of future-success strife.
Get Hooked: If you like the band after listening to a few tracks, you can buy your favorites on iTunes, become a fan on MySpace or Facebook or Youtube, go see them live in NYC, and/or vote for them to perform in the Warped Tour: Battle of the Bands this summer.
-
A Moment's Worth - Even Better Live!
[+ Show ]
This past Sunday, a few Bronx bands invaded NYC’s Highline Ballroom for Kids of Survival Record Rele...This past Sunday, a few Bronx bands invaded NYC’s Highline Ballroom for Kids of Survival Record Release party. One of the bands on the lineup was A Moment’s Worth.
Watching their set I didn’t want it to end. With the first song you are immersed in the music. Not only was their sound tight, but you can see how much fun they have performing. Alex Bondarev is a ball of energy running around the stage and even jumping into the pit all the while still holding on to the microphone to sing with the crowd. I love their pop/punk sound.
This band is what makes live music awesome! Get their music now on and go see them live!
-
Urban Mainstream Review
[+ Show ]
"When you listen to A Moment's Worth, you can tell that they have a passion for music...I see them g..."When you listen to A Moment's Worth, you can tell that they have a passion for music...I see them getting bigger and bigger as time goes on."
-
A Moment's Worth Album Review
[+ Show ]
Their sophmore self-titled album fuses together strong lyrics with amazing guitar feel (along with p...Their sophmore self-titled album fuses together strong lyrics with amazing guitar feel (along with piano in a few cases) to go along with it...Every song on this album has a different feel, but somehow they fuse together very well. Everyone in and around the tri-state area should really keep an eye out for these guys, because they will be making a big name for themselves in the very near future.
Overall Rating: 4/5
-
Ironic Last Words LP Review
[+ Show ]
When a band makes a good record a lot of people use the word "powerful" to describe how the music hi...When a band makes a good record a lot of people use the word "powerful" to describe how the music hit them. Most of the time they are over-estimating a simple pop song that had a good hook, which sounded great the first time but lost something the next time you listened. At other times some of these bands get by with a lucky one shot good album, ride the talk up to the top, and then sit there with their minimal talent until they are found out to be the true fools they have been all along (Good Charlotte, I’m talking to you kids). This time though, I believe I have listened to a band that not only deserves to be called “powerful” in their own right, not just for being about some of the best musicians around, but for crafting just about the best songs around. But, I find that just calling this band “powerful” is not enough. No, for these lovely lads I will just come right out and say, “You Mothers are Superman!”
The band is called A Moments Worth. The album is called Ironic Last Words. And, the only thing I can say is that this is truly the best album I have heard in almost three years. Each and every song seems to have a life, a heart, a story. No big time rock band right now selling millions of albums can boast this much emotion and power in their lonely road show of recycled rock tunes. Nor can any band right now come close to the heights A Moments Worth have reached on this, their first proper album. Lead singer Alex Bondarev has come a long way vocally. Bondarev delves deep inside a soul too old for his age and comes out with the most truthful vocals this side of Cobain, with no drugs and nothing but truth to back him up. As a song writer, Bondarev is well on his way to being a punk rock Hemingway. But Bondarev is not alone in this magic record. He is backed up by what I can only say is the most solid band mates around. On drums, Frank Quarto not only keeps time with his fantastic drum work but adds to the tunes, almost as if giving melody to his drums. Guitarist Anthony Albanese is amazing, sending each chord into your brain and getting them stuck. It is as if he burns the melody into your brain tissue. And then comes the most amazing bass player around, Chris “Ragu” Ragone. Ragone has the prettiest bass lines in the universe and his skills as a music maker go beyond his primary instrument, supplying piano on tracks and even arranging his own piece of music for the disc. Overall, as far as talent is concerned, A Moments Worth has me in their fan base.
Ironic Last Words is incendiary. The album breaths fire like a fifty foot dragon made of passion. Each song lives. Each lyric screams from the moments in the lives of the song writers, and paints a picture of life lived and lessons learned. A highlight on the album is the song Bottle Cap. A beautiful piano part brings you into the most fantastic melody since “Hey Jude”. With a seemingly simple build up, the band speaks of lost romance, a heart working its way out of darkness. On the track To a Friend, Bondarev sings to an old friend to reassure them that their friendship will survive through time and age. But the gem on this amazing album comes in the form of the song Staying Home from School. More than just teen angst served to the young market, this song serves as more of a volcano. As its starts, an unassuming listener feels like they are listening to a standard album. When looked at closer, the listener realizes it is a song about breaking up and the pain it brings. But, by songs end, a crescendo hits us like a bullet to the heart, full of so much heart and just absolute vitality and emotion. Lead singer Alex Bondarev unloads what seems like a life times worth of anger and frustration into the music. His vocals rise in rage and scream to the heavens, reaching every god and storming every cloud with the words “YOU NEVER” crashing open every heart and soul its reaches. The album comes down to a simple piano, almost as if falling from the energy spent to release itself from its chains.
Ironic Last Words serves as a testament to hard work from some incredibly talented young men, who if they keep at it, will be some very well known young men. In the age of lip syncing, no talents, and bland “Bling” Rap, this is music, true and honest. No gloss, no make believe, A Moments Worth offers us music, clear and simple. So, take a moment and listened to them via CD, LP, Live, any place you can treat your ears to what true talent sounds like.
