It almost sounds like a bad idea: Combine the new-wave pop of the mid- to late '80s with the sound of second-wave grunge and doll it up with macho emo-like lyrics. What saves Caroline's Spine's debut are the rock-solid son... more »gs, tight band chemistry (especially Jason Gilardi's propulsive drumming), and a complete nixing of pretension. This is one of those increasingly rare debut releases where the band has kept the overindulgences stored away. Jimmy Newquist's oceanic vocals are the star of the show, and while some may compare him to Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, his flipping between tender and terror is less bombastic. Caroline's Spine avoids genericism like the plague, lifting cuts such as the beautiful ballad "Nothing to Prove" and the driving "Deep in Your Wake" above the clichés to which the titles hint. This is easily one of the better debut releases of 1999. --Jason Josephes« less
It almost sounds like a bad idea: Combine the new-wave pop of the mid- to late '80s with the sound of second-wave grunge and doll it up with macho emo-like lyrics. What saves Caroline's Spine's debut are the rock-solid songs, tight band chemistry (especially Jason Gilardi's propulsive drumming), and a complete nixing of pretension. This is one of those increasingly rare debut releases where the band has kept the overindulgences stored away. Jimmy Newquist's oceanic vocals are the star of the show, and while some may compare him to Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, his flipping between tender and terror is less bombastic. Caroline's Spine avoids genericism like the plague, lifting cuts such as the beautiful ballad "Nothing to Prove" and the driving "Deep in Your Wake" above the clichés to which the titles hint. This is easily one of the better debut releases of 1999. --Jason Josephes
CD Reviews
Amazing
tornandgone | NY | 02/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1999, opening for the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band was this band, Caroline's Spine. Not knowing what to expect, I watched the show with open ears. Ultimately, I loved what I heard.Their performance was great, their energy was in abundance and their music was awesome. This CD captures all three of these features. Their music is catchy and guitar-driven while not giving up an inch as far as distortion goes. On rhythm are Jason Gilardi, who pounds the drums with perfection and really enhances the music, and bassist Scott Jones, who basslines accompany the guitar extremely well. The guitarist are Mark Haugh and Jimmy Newquist, who play straight up rock and roll guitar, much like that found in the music of Nickelback. Newquist also resides on vocals and sings with the youthful baritone sound of Scott Stapp (Creed) but with a bit more energy and friendliness. The album starts with the title track. The song begins with clean guitars before blasting into a heavy song with fast guitars and wonderful drumming. The perfect opener song. The next track rolls in right after the first, not giving you a chance to relax from the rush of the first. With the same intensity, the band plays great guitar, awesome rhythm and some great vocals. Their single, Nothing To Prove, softens the mood with acoustic guitar, a thick bass line and great drumming. It is a really catchy song and has something to it that makes it incredible. Ready, Set, Go picks the album up again with some great guitar, pounding drums and bass and some cool lyrics. A really great, rocking song. Rock And Roll Hero slows the tempo down again. The bass and drums really dominate on this song and the vocals and lyrics are so beautiful and inspiring. This song is extremely beautiful and definitely one of their best songs. The next three songs, Inside Your Mind, Open Fire, and Turned Blue, are all upbeat tracks. Inside Your Mind is a pretty heavy song, guitar-wise, and the vocals are great. Open Fire is a catchier than Inside Your Mind with some great rhythm, especially drums, and vocals. Turned Blue is their heaviest song. This song is basically driven by the drums but the guitars are really great. Everything stands out on the Work Song. It is just an incredible song. The guitar is wicked, the bass line is thick and can be heard over the guitars, the drumming is strong and solid, the vocals are sung in a cool way and the lyrics are pretty true to life. Happy Without You is a slower song with some great instrumentation and nice vocals. Again and Again is another fast song, like Inside Your Mind but a bit softer. The drumming is powerful on this song while the guitars are really great. The final song, True Star, is another one of the best songs because of its perfection. The drumming is simply wonderful, the bass is distinctive, and the guitars are great. All in all, this album is definitely some wonderful.Although if this band were to ever make it really far in the music world, the comparisons are obvious but you have to get over that and just enjoy it. Fans of bands like Creed, Our Lady Peace and Nickelback would enjoy this album. Fans of music with a certain hard edge to it without the heaviness of metal would find this album comforting. Just simply check it out. Its definitely worth a listen."
Caroline's Spine: The True Backbone of Modern Rock
tornandgone | 09/19/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is truly depressing to know that a band like Caroline's Spine gets hardly any radio play, while Fred Durst's teenage angst is echoing from mountaintop to mountaintop. Not only is Caroline's Spine's second effort "Attention Please" a more intelligent and mature album than any Godsmack or Sevendust recording, but the album's blistering thirty-eight minutes are a breath of fresh air in a music world dominated by cheesy boy-bands and cheesy boys doing it all for the nookie. From the time "Attention Please" opens with Jimmy Newquist's request for that attention, until the closing chords of "True Star," Caroline's Spine take all their passengers on a one-way trip into rock and roll ecstasy from which there is no escape. So to all the skeptics out there, understand that Caroline's Spine has asked for your attention, and if you do not give it now, it is only a matter of time until they drag you from the bottom of the thrity-foot toilet to the top of rock and roll heaven."
Caroline's Spine Strikes Again!
mmac27 | Madison, WI United States | 12/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a fantastic album. I love this group. There first album Monsoon whas a masterpiece. But I think this album is even better. Every single song is great. Not only do they sound great on the album these guys are great live! I seen the 3 times and loved them every time. You should definitely give this group a chance. They will blow you away."
Attention Please
soakley | oklahoma | 01/10/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD toally rocks If you've never heard these guys, you really should. They have their own style that is sure to catch the ear of anyone who listens. This CD would be a great edition to anybody's collection."
One of the best cd's I own
soakley | 01/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw them live when they opened up for Queensryche in St. Louis. I had never heard of the band before. I was impressed enough to buy this cd, and am glad I did. It is one of the best cd's I own. I would recommend it to anyone."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
