2008 Woodie Awards
The not so angelic sounds
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
The O.C. Dawson's Creek. MTV's Laguna Beach. These scripted dramas or reality shows hold the reputation of presenting pretty girls, hot guys, bad acting, and the token over-emotional song lurking in the background. The artists of these songs are typically some new young heartthrobs trying to make their way into the business. They may have a hit or two and if they're lucky, you may hear something from them again in the far, distant future. They may not have talent and they may not have the "it" factor, but they'll always have their catchy hooks and good looks. Say hello to the gentlemen of Luna Halo.
Hailing from Nashville, Tenn., the members of Luna Halo are a lot more in sync with each other than with any of their songs. Two brothers, Nathan Barlowe and Cary Barlowe, both share the reins when it comes to the vocals and playing the guitar. The other two, Aaron Jenkins (bass) and Chris Coleman (drums) try to keep the down beat alive.
Originally a Christian group, the gentlemen of Luna Halo rejected their beliefs on behalf of their desire for popularity and fame. After revamping their image, they no longer sung about their faith but about their dysfunctional relationships. This then led to the use of profanity and drug abuse in their lyrics, which undermined everything they had spent so long building. Their reputation in the religious community is now tainted and they have been fused together with the numerous musicians who have sold out for the wrong reasons.
This genre of alternative rock, although partially respectable, needs to be backed up with substance, something Luna Halo lacks. All of their songs sound identical to the previous song. Although the tempo may change a bit, that doesn't change the monotone lyrics and absent, detached storyline. This disorganized 11-track recording attempts to feed you their semi-decent lyrics, mixed with a blend of "heard that before," and topped off with a large helping of disappointment. Thank you American Records.
This album does, on a positive note, have a couple of songs that have been discovered and for some odd reason the suggestion was made to use them for big events. The Stanley Cup Final and the series finale of the television show King of Queens, both showed support by using Luna Halo's "Kings & Queens" for their events. There is also talk of their song "On My Way" being featured on the CBS television show Ghost Whisperer, as well as plans for these gentlemen to make more appearances in other shows and such, but really I'm sure these multi-million dollar companies could find a group with the exact same sound with a little more heart.
This so-called misunderstood rock quartet's latest self-titled album hits stores everywhere on Oct. 30. If your interested in mediocrity, unoriginality, or you're just bored, check out their website at www.lunahalo.com or their MySpace account at www.myspace.com/lunahalo. Consider yourself warned.
Hailing from Nashville, Tenn., the members of Luna Halo are a lot more in sync with each other than with any of their songs. Two brothers, Nathan Barlowe and Cary Barlowe, both share the reins when it comes to the vocals and playing the guitar. The other two, Aaron Jenkins (bass) and Chris Coleman (drums) try to keep the down beat alive.
Originally a Christian group, the gentlemen of Luna Halo rejected their beliefs on behalf of their desire for popularity and fame. After revamping their image, they no longer sung about their faith but about their dysfunctional relationships. This then led to the use of profanity and drug abuse in their lyrics, which undermined everything they had spent so long building. Their reputation in the religious community is now tainted and they have been fused together with the numerous musicians who have sold out for the wrong reasons.
This genre of alternative rock, although partially respectable, needs to be backed up with substance, something Luna Halo lacks. All of their songs sound identical to the previous song. Although the tempo may change a bit, that doesn't change the monotone lyrics and absent, detached storyline. This disorganized 11-track recording attempts to feed you their semi-decent lyrics, mixed with a blend of "heard that before," and topped off with a large helping of disappointment. Thank you American Records.
This album does, on a positive note, have a couple of songs that have been discovered and for some odd reason the suggestion was made to use them for big events. The Stanley Cup Final and the series finale of the television show King of Queens, both showed support by using Luna Halo's "Kings & Queens" for their events. There is also talk of their song "On My Way" being featured on the CBS television show Ghost Whisperer, as well as plans for these gentlemen to make more appearances in other shows and such, but really I'm sure these multi-million dollar companies could find a group with the exact same sound with a little more heart.
This so-called misunderstood rock quartet's latest self-titled album hits stores everywhere on Oct. 30. If your interested in mediocrity, unoriginality, or you're just bored, check out their website at www.lunahalo.com or their MySpace account at www.myspace.com/lunahalo. Consider yourself warned.
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