Customer Reviews

Kiss Or Kill

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As of last Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 I had never heard of EndeverafteR, then I went to a Fuel concert and saw these guys open for them: WOW, I was absolutely mind-blown as to how good these guys played, their stage presence and their quality of songs. This band has a sound that we all need to hear. It is a fun-loving blend of classic rock/metal/pop-rock and just flat out great music. All four members are very talented at what they do.
As for the record, I obviously purchased this at the concert and was pleasently surprised to see that Stacy Jones (American Hi-Fi, another of my top bands) produced this. The first track "I wanna be your man" is very ear friendly and air guitar friendly, a common theme for both throughout. "Baby^3" sounds like it could be a classic and is very good live. My personal live favorite was track 3 "Gotta get out", which has a great backing vocal and easy-to-relate-to lyrics. Track 5 features another one of my favorites, Butch Walker on backing vocals. Track 7, "Road to destruction" is a very high energy song that leads into my favorite album track, "All night". The only throwaway song here is track 9. The album ends in a beautiful manner with "Long way home". A 6 minute plus acoustic song with very pretty guitar work and male/female vocal harmonies.
Bottom line, this is a phenominal debut album for a band that has what it takes to be a big time band this day in age, because they are creative and enjoyable. Like lead singer Michael Grant says, "we don't want people to listen to our music and slit their wrists, we want them to smile and have a good time."

Endeverafter? When I first heard that a band by that name was gonna open up for Cinderella & Poison in 06, I said "WTF are these guys"? , "Why do they get the spot another band I used to like didn't"? After all, one of the staples of Poison's shows since their reunion in '00 was that it was a bill of 80's Hard Rock bands all getting the chance to showcase the hits that made them who they are and get some new stuff out to the fans. Now, all of the sudden some band I never heard of was taking place of someone in the likes of Warrant or Slaughter. Why? I had to know who these guys were, and what landed them that spot. I checked out their myspace page and it took me only seconds to figure it out. 48 seconds to be exact!
On the pages music player, the default song was something called "Baby, Baby, Baby". From the first lick I was grabbed by the ear to listen to the whole thing. But I was sure by the chorus it would go down the tubes. 48 seconds in, the prechorus screamed "Don't Stop Now! You know you want it." Instantly I perked up. Any minute now, it'll go downhill right? I couldn't have been more wrong! By 1:01 on the players window, the chorus kicked in. It was right then that I understood. Sure these guys weren't some big band from the 80's...they were the next coming!!! I listened to all 4 tracks on the page and loved it! I had to find out everything about the band and got a hold of not only their pre-signed EP but music from the former incarnation Endever. These guys are the real deal!!!!
I eagerly awaited their opening the show, and was not disappointed! My then, 9yo son even loved it so much that when the band made their rounds in the crowd before Cinderella (yeah, you heard that right, these guys came out and met the fans one on one!!), he had to meet them! He must have talked Kristan's ear off for 10 minutes! I clamored for the new CD. Several of the new tracks they played showed even more promise than what was on their self-pressed EP. To my pleasure, they announced it to be out in August. Unfortunately that date came and passed with no CD. The new date was September. New date, same thing. After spending the better part of my life playing music myself, you get to know some things about how "the biz" works. First rule of thumb, especially with a debut, is repeated pushbacks are not good. Generally they mean the label isn't confident in the material. But why? Then reports surfaced that these guys got bounced from Sony / Or music to the Epic imprint. Okay, maybe that's why the delays. By March of 07, still no record, but a good sign the Baby x3 video was out. Yet another release date comes and goes. No airplay on any of the rock stations around (including Sirius). What gives? Now work is that they are being pushed to Red Ink. Okay, some of the better musician bands are on the label, but not much promotion. I was becoming disheartened that what I had was all I was going to get from the band.
Then, word came that there was no more Sony, but Razor & Tie was going to release it. WTF!!!??? The company who does Kidz Bop. This has to be the kiss of death!!! However, within days I saw tons of promotion. A great write-up and push on Razor & Tie's website and around other music sites. Could it be? October, the date comes, I get up first thing in the am and jump on iTunes fully waiting to be disappointed as I was so many time before. Wrong!!! It's couldn't download fast enough! Fantastic album! The production sounded great!
Track 1, "I Wanna Be Your Man," This was one of 4 songs on the same myspace page (that I subsequently "borrowed" for my listening pleasure during the wait), so I heard this many times and had seen the video as this was destined to be the first single. Balls to the wall Rock! It just screams "Arena Anthem" from get! Double Bass drum, screaming! It borders on metal more than melodic hard rock. But if you're a rocker, and this song doesn't get the head moving, it's time for some Barry Manilow!
Track 2, "Baby x3", the song that started it all for me. Sounds just as good as ever! It's even been my ringtone since April...sorry EEA but it was available to buy then ;-). This song has some blistering guitars and a big chorus that will keep you wanting more! The sex appeal (including the video) make it destined to be a hit when it finally gets re-released the right way.
Track 3, "Gotta Get Out", first new song for me. At first I must admit, I was a bit disappointed. While a great upbeat song, it just seemed too commercial. However, this seems to be a song new followers and old alike seem to really like, so I guess I'm in the minority here. It does have a very catchy hook though.
Track 4, "Poison", The opening riff of this song should be on every guitar players list of "to be learned". Another blistering song that has some depth to it and a great bridge.
Track 5, "The Next Best Thing," The title pretty much sums up what this song is going to do when it hit radio. After assaulting your senses in the first 4 tracks, the CD slows down a bit. This song is a beautiful power ballad that still shows some guitar chops. I must admit, I liked the version their EP better as it really brings out the "power ballad"-ness of crunchy guitars in the bridge and chorus (including an awesome slide into the first chorus), but this version is better for radio with the softer side and shorter guitar and drum fill I suppose. Butch Walker does a nice job at adding a new sound to the song. For the ladies, this will be the deal closer, if you know what I mean.
Track 6, "Tip of my Tongue," The slow down's done! A medium temp rocker that shows some versatility with an almost funky bass line and double times in the solo. Eric and Tommy shine in this one.
Track 7, "Road to Destruction," This song took me aback the first time I heard it. Quite different than the others at first. An interesting arpeggio and battlefield snare pretty much underlie the first verse with chilling war lyrics. Then it builds up into quite an interesting and heavy chorus and solo. I dare you to listen to this song and tell me Michael Grant isn't destined to go down with the all-time guitar greats!
Track 8, "All Night," This some goes with "Gotta Get Out". It is a very commercial sounding song. It does show a new range in Mike's voice though.
Track 9, "Slave," This is an awesome ode to the working man with an almost Jet sounding verse leading to yet another arena ready chorus!
Track 10, "From the Ashes of Sin," Holy S....!!! This is my favorite song on the CD. The time changes , searing, dualing guitar work, and the pounding rhythm section in this song give it an almost prog-metal type feeling. If you couldn't get it out of the other songs, then this song shows, these guys are awesome musicians on top of all of the sleaze-rock glam style.
Track 11, "Long Way Home," Unless you bought the iTunes version, this is the closing track. I personally think all rock albums should end with a rocker leaving you wanting more, but I guess this fits here for continuities sake. It's a very pretty, almost country, acoustic ballad. Again it shows the versatility of Mikes writing, and more over, vocals. It has a beautiful harmony with a relatively unknown female singer named Gracie Sims, who sounds arguably a lot like Lisa Loeb, that compliments Mike's vocals quite well.
This CD is easily one of the best of 07 and was well worth the wait! Top it off with a awesome live show, and these guys could help bring Hard Rock back around with a twist! I dare you not to love this CD!!!!

I recently had the pleasure of seeing Endeverafter live, opening up for Australian rockers Airbourne (picture Motley Crue opening for AC/DC circa 1982) and enjoyed their set so much I decided to pick up their 2007 debut Kiss or Kill.

Endeverafter is essentially putting a modern spin on the wild & crazy Motley Crue/Van Halen style of party rock from the 80's. The album is full of upbeat, infectious rock anthems that the band's energy and obvious enthusiasm make very hard to resist. Just repeat to yourself "it's OK to rock, it's OK to rock", then let songs like Road to Destruction and Tip of My Tongue take you back to when it seemed like this was the only kind of music on the radio.

If you've been missing the kind of pure fun rock & roll that's been so hard to find these past 15 years, you've got to check out Endeverafter. You'll be cranking it up and singing along before you know it. Also check out Airbourne, American Heartbreak, Bullets and Octane, Black Stone Cherry, Lynam, Lost City Angels, Beautiful Creatures, and Gotthard. Rock & Roll is alive and well if you know where to look.

I was lucky enough to see Airbourne, EndeverafteR and Stonerider at 'Les Saints" in Montreal on April,3rd this year(08). All for the dirt cheap price of $15.50. Canadian even! I was more familiar with the other two bands initially but made a point of going to EEA's website to check them out beforehand. They opened with Road to Destruction and just owned the place, then were prematurely forced off the stage a song early due to time constraints. I actually bought Kiss or Kill at the show, even had it signed by Michael and Kristan, two of the coolest dudes you'd ever have the pleasure of meeting. After reading all of the reviews here, I have to agree with everthing written. This band is a long overdue breath of fresh air with a very fresh sound. Let's hope the youth of today can figure that out too and not just the people who remember what great music was all about. For the record, all three bands are excellent. I highly recommend.

I'm not sure if I would call this Heavy Metal or just rock but there is a good blend of hard edged guitar driven songs and even a power ballad on this CD. I let a friend borrow it and he ordered the CD the next day. Put this one on your list to buy!

I heard some good things about this album, so I decided to pick it up. Sure enough, this band rocks all the way home. This has everything you want in it: sing-a-long choruses, cool melodies and blazing guitar work. As a musician myself, I can honestly say that Michael Grant is one of the most talented guitarists to debut since 2000.
From the uptempo, guitar-screeching and sing-a-long chorus of "I Wanna Be Your Man", to the fast-paced, riff-rocking "Baby Baby Baby" and "Gotta Get Out" which ends in a beautiful vocal melody, this album has it all. And it goes even further with the epic, progressive "Road to Destruction", which lasts over five and a half minutes, to the relaxing, sunset-y feel of the six minute plus acoustic closer, "Long Way Home". That's gotta be one of the best songs I've heard in a while.
Overall, this is a very strong album that proves that EndeverafteR is showing us new beginnings with their old-school sound. And when I say I can honestly give this a full five stars, I recommend this to all fans of bands such as AC/DC, Van Halen, Motley Crue and classic rock in general. Plus, if you love great guitar playing, this will make a great addition to your collection. Thanks for the time, and peace.

It's about damned time that a band comes forward and says the heck with these cookie-cutter rock bands of today! These guys absolutely ROCK with an old-school style combined with modern sounds. Being a fan of the heavier 70's-80's sound, I love this group.

I suppose I could. I haven't heard a band like this in a long time, but I'm very glad that I did. They have a great sound and all of the songs I could listen to over and over again! Just buy it already.

Endeverafter clearly was influenced by all sorts of 80's metal - the fiery guitar solos and partying lyrics are all over the place on Kiss or Kill - but there's also modern sounds to be heard, as "Road to Destruction" sounds eerily like Papa Roach, and "Long Way Home" conjures up Collective Soul. Overall, a ton of fun and recommended to fans of the party-hearty 80's and modern rock.

EndeverafteR formed in 2004 and this is their debut CD. It is impressive, and since it is their debut, I gave it 5-stars.

The only debut CD I have heard lately better than this one, and just barely better--is Airbourne's "Runnin' Wild."

Whomever this band "opens" for better be on their game.

Although it cannot be sampled on Amazon, the songs can be sampled elsewhere, and I did that.

If you like hard rock you will like this CD (like I do).

CAVEAT: If you do not like hard rock you will hate this CD and you should not purchase it.