Customer Reviews

Common Ground

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A quick preview of this disc leaves you with the impression that Sunset Black is another garage-based punkish band that listened to a lot of Bad Religion. Further listens really open up a catchy disc that really shows more maturity than most contemporary punk these days.

I use the term punk loosely when referring to this disc. Instead of punk rock, Sunset Black could be considered more of a rock-punk band, calling forth hints of the Goo Goo Dolls, Husker Dü, and Smashing Pumpkins. The one thing that all of those bands share, of course, is the ability to craft songs rather that mindlessly bash out power chords. Sunset Black is of the same mind.

Another band from the Midwest-and there certainly seems to be a slew of them emerging in the last few years (i.e. Slipknot, Disturbed, Taproot, blah, blah, blah)-Sunset Black sheds the shtick that goes with the coastal music communities, delivering a more honest, perhaps more heartfelt and sincere album. They are like the Garrison Keillor of rock and roll, spitting out big hooks and honest lyrics from the outskirts of Lake Wobegon.

While Florida nu-meddlers, Nonpoint, have openly proclaimed their support and appreciation of Sunset Black and taken them out on tour, they just don't fit in with that crowd. In fact, there have been handful of newer bands like Trapt, Pressure 4-5, Alien Ant Farm, Papa Roach in a pinch, that Sunset Black would be better suited to tour with.

Does it bowl you over at first listen? No. Second listen? Maybe not even then. But what these guys offer, that seems to be missing from much corporate rock, is something new to be discovered on each listen. Mature beyond their debut years, these lads. I would like to say that Sunset Black will bust out with their next album, but sadly, I don't think it will happen. This band is on the verge of being radio friendly, but not quite enough and that has been the kiss of death for many a band, because when you're hard to define, you become easier to dismiss.

I like 'em. In an effort to support indie rock, so should you.

I have to give a huge Kudos to my friend Aaron in Thornton, CO for hooking me up on these guys. This band is one of those word-of-mouth bands that seems to have that old axiom "word-of-mouth is the best advertisement" working very well in their favor. I can't really call these guys punk although they have some of that flair in their sound. It's just very minute, which I can handle because I am not a fan of punk.

No offense to you punk fans out there, I respect it, I just don't prefer it.

These air raids that are the guitar walls of this band just drilled me to the core. I was extremely impressed and am still awaiting the second release due out sometime this year I think.

Pick it up, you'll see what I'm waiting on.

When I first picked this CD up, it was mostly based on word of mouth, because I hadn't actually heard this band. Normally I tend to make a habit of listening to at least a few songs before I lay down well-earned cash for it, but I felt something different with Sunset Black.

After hearing the first track, "Standing," I was intrigued. Their sound has an appealing mainstream-accessible edge, but not to the point of unabashed aim for the most airtime on the radio. These guys are clearly in it for the music, as their lyrics strongly proclaim.

"Next In Line" is probably my favorite few minutes on this release, with its great hook and emotionally-driven chorus. "This Place" is an interesting aggro-ballad, while "Silent Regrets" and "You Pretend" will win the hearts of emo-rock enthusiasts. But, this isn't stereotyped emo-kid pop; these lyrics about self-development and keeping the things in your life that matter most suggest a much more worldly view.

The beautiful "You're Breaking," the heartfelt "What I Do," and the mini-epic "Last Song" round out the disc into a mature, emotional, hard-rocking debut album from a band whose potential is limitless.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Sunset Black formed in 1995, featuring the lineup of vocalist/guitarist Brandon Sammons, lead guitarist Mike Evans, bassist TJ Matthews, and drummer Jaime Gehly. In 1999, the group relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota and soon found them selves sharing the stage with such bands as Linkin Park, Staind, Nickelback, Fuel, System of a Down and Thursday. After establishing them selves within the local scene, the group signed a record deal with independent label Blue Worm Records (MN) in March 2001, and from there, recorded a 3-song demo with producer Matthew Kirkwold. Soon after, preceded by strong radio support, a large Internet presence, and a dedicated fanbase, Sunset Black attracted the interests of Bieler Bros. Records (Legends of Rodeo), an imprint of MCA Records. Currently, Common Ground, the debut album by Sunset Black, which was produced by Andrew Goldman (Nonpoint), is set for release on August 27, 2002.

Citing such influences as Quicksand, Deftones, Failure, Hum, and Incubus, it is no small surprise that Sunset Black delivers an emotionally driven brand of rock that is as much melody & beauty as it is power & intensity. Style wise, Sunset Black may combine the visceral dynamism of Quicksand with emo underpinnings and the modern rock appeal of such artists as Injected or Greenwheel, yet the Minnesota-based quartet is far from being just another carbon copy. Musically, the band features dynamic, multi-layered guitarplay, led by angular hooks and engaging melodies intertwined with cathartic riffs and subtle effects, while a tight rhythm section provides a strong backbone. Songwriting for the most part, is simple and straightforward, yet offers enough clever dynamics and distinctive contrasts to keep the music from becoming derived or repetitive. Vocally, frontman/guitarist Brandon Sammons dominates with a performance that includes raw, emotionally drenched harmonics, beautiful melodies, and vicious screams, not to mention lyrics that are heartfelt & inspired.

Ranging from powerful & vigorous to beautiful & charming, Common Ground, the debut release by Sunset Black, is a passionate album that features twelve dynamic songs, which magnificently blur the line between emo and rock. Showcasing the more potent side of the band are such energetic, aggressive-tinged, yet still appealing tracks as the engaging, opening song Standing, the vibrant You're Breaking, What I Do with its excellent loud/soft contrasts and You Pretend, an edgy hard rock song. On the opposite side of the coin, Sunset Black displays their tender, more melodically imbued persona, led by the touching, ballad-like Drowning, the sensitive Timing Is Reason, and the memorable Empty Promises, while This Place is a slower song with the occasional aggressive parts & screaming. Possessing strong radio appeal are such tracks as Next In Line and Silent Regrets, a versatile song featuring catchy choruses, excellent vocal harmonics and dynamic tempo shifts. Rounding out the album is The Wait, a melodic-driven, rhythmic song complete with aggressive breakdown, while closing out the record is the epic and multi-layered Last Song, which is composed of scintillating guitars, emotional melodies, driving beats, and brilliant mix of beautiful harmonies, tortured screams, and samples. In general, Common Ground is an album that may lack in areas of overall diversity and originality, but when compared to the group's sheer intensity & passion, their musical precision, and the stunning vocal presence of Brandon Sammons, any drawbacks are instantly forgotten. In the end Sunset Black is a welcome breath of fresh air in a stale music scene, and while they may not be the most creative or dynamic act out there, what they do, they do extremely well, and it says something when you can have a band that not only appeals to the listener senses, but also touches them in ways profound...

This has got to be the best and coolest sounding band I have heard in forever. All I can say is "when is the next album comeing out" because I can't get enough of this stuff. If you like the Nu-Metal sound, but are longing for something a little more unique and different, this is the band for you. It's both dark and omminous and energetic at the same time. The rythyms, hooks and beats are infectious. You cant just listen to this thing once in a while. This is a mainstay in the player and I have just about burned mine out. We all long for something that is a little different but not weird or too extreme. This is the ticket. It is lyrically relatable and hits a cord with the common person. Its well arranged to maintain a consistet mood or vibe throughout the recording and is mixed well so that you can understand the singer. The rythym guitars are very unique in sound and tone, setting an atmosphere that keeps your ear interested on every track. All around, these guys are very accomplished for a new band on the scene. They have a great career ahead of them if they keep with this style. I always hate it when a band tries to change their sound to keep up with the current style of the times or just to be different than their last effort. If you find a sound that works right for you the first time....STICK WITH IT PLEASE!!!! New bands have soured me in the past on their second album by doing this. My favorite songs are Standing which comes out swinging right off the bat and Your Breaking. Hell, they're all good. This is one of those few albums you can listen to without skipping a track because it's Ho-Hum or changes the mood of the album right in the middle of things. I never rated an album before because I have so much music and no time to pass the word. Let me tell you this. I have turned some friends on to this band and the reaction has always been "Holy Crap, Who Are These Guys". This stuff is kickin'.

I was introduced to Sunset Black back in 2002 when my ex boyfriend gave me their demo CD. I loved it. It had the original version of "Empty Promises" on it, which I actually preferred to the one on the CD. I think I ended up buying the Common Ground CD the day it came out. And all these years later, it is still one of my favorite, go to albums.

Sad that things didn't work out with them, they had a sound that could've and should've gone big.

Just goes to show that being lucky is as important than being good. This Band obviously got lost in the shuffle. A definite must for anyone's collection.

This is like a cross between Creed and Hopesfall. The vocals are the typical overly masculine radio rock croon, which I'm really not into, but I like this album despite it. This really is a unique, unprecedented blend of emo and post-grunge alt-rock, which on paper sounds like a bad idea, and in light of bands like Story Of The Year has proven to be, but these guys' understanding that rhythm is just important as melody gives their songwriting a vital spark that most bands in both the post-grunge alt-rock and power-pop emo scenes are lacking.

i saw these guys live 3 times in MN and i loved every minute. the cd is a great buy.