BTM Reviews
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By Mark Christopher [Published May 2007]
Source: gaychicagomagazine.com
It has the makings of a fairy tale: While he was still in grade school, founder/guitarist Max Steger was playing in various blues clubs across Chicago and anointed by none other than Atlantic Records cofounder, the late Ahmet Ertugun, as “one of the best guitar players I’ve ever seen.” A couple of years later, after he’d assembled most of the current lineup of his band Blacktop Mourning, the quintet was discovered by Counting Crows’ lead singer Adam Duritz on MySpace.com, MTV signed them to a deal, and Duritz snapped them up for his newly formed T-Recs label. It just can’t get any cooler than that - except, of course, with a debut like “No Regret.”
Although they’re being plugged as a rock/pop punk outfit (and yeah, they’ve got youth and, most important, the meaty guitar chops to prove it), these guys have the old souls of classic pop-rocksters. This is mostly anthemic stuff, with plenty of juicy pop hooks just about everywhere you look and a truly soulfully soaring lead singer in Joe Levand. Standouts include the frenzied Halfway to Midnight, Don’t Defend, the metal-powered My Only Heart and Hard to Recognize, which makes you wonder why the band didn’t attempt more ballads.
“No Regret’s” not perfect, as it does seem to spin in its own tracks (no pun intended) on occasion, recycling the previous song’s leavings, and after awhile, some of the more angst-ridden lyrics numb. Overall, though, this happy-ending fairy tale begs for sequels. (***)
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By J-Sin [Published May 2007]
Source: smother.net
This is definitely not what I would have predicted the first band signed to Counting Crows’ singer Adam Duritz’s new label would have sounded like. Enthusiastic guitars brighten with melodic choruses amid pop-punk adventures and oodles of catchy mall punk hooks. The product of an Internet sensation, the group spent two weeks on MySpace before inking a deal with MTV to use their music on various programs. Led by Max Steger, an 18-year old songwriter guitarist who grew up jamming in Chicago’s blues clubs, Blacktop Mourning strikes with bubbly energetic pop bliss and surprisingly good songwriting.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By Paul Raven [Published May 2007]
Source: subba-cultcha.com
Blacktop Mourning have been plucked from the MySpace masses by none other than Adam Duritz, singer-songwriter of Counting Crows, who was so impressed by what he stumbled upon that he felt he’d branch out into the record label end of the industry just to give them a chance at exposure.
I think it’s safe to say that Mr. Duritz knows quality pop when he hears it, and that’s exactly what Blacktop Mourning have to offer on No Regret. It’s a beautifully produced album, and the skilful performances of this young band are captured perfectly, sealed in the amber gloss of a highly professional recording.
The actual material itself, as technically elegant and detailed as it may be, is nothing you’ll not have heard before, unless you’ve had the fortune to be sleeping under a heavy boulder for the last couple of years. Blacktop Mourning are the right-now sound of commercially accessible rock music. The harmonised vocals soar and reach for the sky, delivering lyrics that are, dare I say it, “emotive” - a litany of ’sins confessed’ and ‘things that will never be forgotten’, pure back-of-the-notebook high school poetics. The guitars, while crunched up and amped, are well to the back of the mix, resulting in radio-friendly and parent-proof teenage angst. Polished and perfect, short accessible pop songs – every MySpace cliché met and accounted for.
Don’t get me wrong; it’s a record you’d struggle to find any glaring faults with. But I guess that’s the issue I have with it – it’s so tailor-made for the Zeitgeist that there’s nothing to make it stand out above the crowd of other bands doing exactly the same thing. Perhaps with time these young bucks will find their own path, but for now they’re riding the highway on the emo bandwagon, and there’s only so much longer that particular vehicle is going to carry anyone’s career. Add some fresh ideas and a little more edge, and Blacktop Mourning could become genuine contenders for the long haul. In the meantime, No Regret will doubtless gather them a healthy handful of young fans.
For fans of: Lostprophets, Fallout Boy, My Chemical Romance
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By Brain Rademacher [Published May 2007]
Source: rockeyez.com
Children of the night have awaken and its “6AM” the opening track for this amazing band from Chicago, a blend of rock and alternative that smacks you between the eyes. I love these boys as they push the limits with hooks and melody above simplistic typical alternative sound.
Their young yet they seem to have the perfect balance between rock and alternative for success. The music is driving and hits hard and enjoyable to listen to. BLACKTOP MOURNING is produced by Adam Duritz (COUNTING CROWS), Max Steger and David Immergluck, with Duritz adding background vocals on four of the tracks.
There is a multitude of great tunes but one of harder hitters is “My Only Heart” it has aggressive guitar by Max Steger and with the vocal pipes of Joe Levand who drives this track home it could reach out to the metal crowd.
“These Times Call” returns to the more AOR style and If these boys had the same gimmick of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE they would put The ROMANCE on a back burner. There are not just a few good songs on “No Regrets” this is a CD you can listen to from start to finish without skipping tracks.
You can hear the influence of Adam Duritz of the COUNTING CROWS on this phenomenal ballad “Hardly Recognize”, Levand totally shines and shows the versatility BLACKTOP MOURNING possesses.
Listening to the last track you would figure that there should be at least one filler track, not here. “As Time Crawls By” is still slamming just as good as the first track. This is a killer debut that reaches out to music fans, has to be added to your collection. And you think these guys are just another pop band check the licks on this track by Steger…. Who’s you daddy….Get it!!!
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By Andrew Ellis [Published May 2007]
Source: ink19.com
The high energy punk-pop of Blacktop Mourning is certainly an interesting choice for Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz to champion as the first signing to his new record label.
However, despite the bluff and bluster of opener “6AM,” it soon becomes clear from listening to No Regret that the Chicago five-piece are a little more cerebral than your average punk-pop outfit, and have an extremely bright future ahead.
With exposure on MTV and 500,000 spins on Myspace to their credit already, Duritz’s punt on Blacktop Mourning looks sound commercially, and with the virtuoso guitar skills of Max Steger, they are the real deal musically too. Coming across as a blend of Jack’s Mannequin and Sum 41, Duritz’s influence is all over songs such as the standout “Don’t Defend,” “Future’s Gone” and the ballad “Hardly Recognize,” while the band’s instinct to rock out manifests itself on powerful tracks such as “My Only Heart” and “Halfway To Midnight.”
Blacktop Mourning may not emulate the success of Counting Crows with No Regret but it’s heartening to see Duritz putting his money where his mouth is and backing a local band he clearly believes in.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
Author Unknown [Published May 2007]
Source: Cnet.com
Backed by Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) and his new label Tyrannosaurus, Blacktop Mourning is starting out in good company. Duritz contributes background vocals on a few tracks (check out “Don’t Defend”), but don’t expect “Mr. Jones” melodies–this pop-punk group delivers emo with a metal edge.
Blacktop Mourning: On The Eve Of Success
Interview With Mag Steger
Author Unknown [Published May 2007]
Source: StaticMultimedia.com
Blacktop Mourning are a rock band on the verge of superstardom. The Chicago-based group features Max Steger, an 18-year old guitarist/songwriter described by many as a “prodigy” who was playing blues clubs in his hometown at the age of 12. Even better, the late, great Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun said that Steger was “one of the best guitar players I’ve ever seen.” That’s a mighty high compliment in anyone’s book.
The band caught the attention of MTV through their highly-trafficked MySpace page and the band has been featured on numerous shows on the channel. Their MySpace page proved so big it caught the attention of Counting Crows singer-songwriter Adam Duritz who decided to form a record label just to sign the band (as well as another band generating buzz on MySpace, Notar).
Now the band are due to release their debut for Duritz’s burgeoning Tyrannosaurus Records. Titled No Regret, the album was produced by Duritz and Crows guitarist David Immergluck (the duo is dubbed “The Devil and The Bunny Show” in the credits) and delivers songs after song of highly charged, finely honed Rock/Pop Punk.
Steger generously answered our questions via e-mail and the following is the bulk of that exchange.
Are there any current trends in music that excite or repulse you?
Max Steger: I guess most people would answer this question by saying that a recent trend in music is the thinking that all the bands in a certain genre sound alike. I think songwriting is everything. With that being said, when a band comes along that actually has substance to their music, I feel it’s easy for them to get overlooked and written off for having the same sound as other bands in this over-saturated music scene. and today it’s almost impossible to come up with a sound that is completely original. I don’t care what genre a band is in or who they sound like, as long as they have good songwriting and something to offer, it makes listening to them worthwhile.
How did the band form?
MS: I wrote 8 of the songs on this album completely and then went looking for great musicians to record with. Started with Shawn (Nystrand - guitar), Joe (Levand - vocals) and myself from the start, had a few necessary lineup changes, and here we are. Joe has done everything - from bass player to backup vocals to now lead singer. It’s been a great journey that in less than two years has brought us to where we are now. Because we were young (15 when I started) and now Shawn, Nate (Wethy - bass) and I are still in high school, there are factors (parents, money and school) that seem to mess with the band’s lineup. Yet, we love who we are at this time and place.
How did the name of the band come about?
MS: We really liked the word “Blacktop” and spent a long time trying to come up with something that go with that. We liked the idea of the blacktop being a place of happiness when you’re a kid, hanging out, growing up. When you get a little older, it takes on new meaning, it’s a place of danger, with gangs, drugs, murders. One day someone said “Mourning” and we all immediately liked it. And our music is also kind of happy, more energetic guitars under darker lyrics, so it really kind of fits. I don’t think it’s like we were mourning our childhood or anything like that. Rather more remembering where we came from or who we used to be.
I presume recording each album is a bit of a learning experience. What kinds of things did you take into recording that you’d done on other albums and what sorts of new approaches did you try?
MS: Of course. I’ve been in tons of different studios with tons of different bands, and whenever I’m there, I always ask the engineers tons of questions and always continue to learn how to get that certain desired sound. I got an Mbox a year ago and started doing tons of home recording. It really made me much more prepared for the process than I was when recording our last record. And I was able to get everything sounding the way I wanted it to sound. We recorded everything in the same order as we usually do, drums-bass-guitars-vocals. Although, this time around we had much more time to concentrate on the guitars and vocals, as well as any additional production we felt the song needed. Last time, we had to get everything recorded on such a tight budget we never got to take the time to get everything how we wanted it to sound.
What would you do differently on the next album?
MS: I think on the next record I want to spend a lot of time demo-ing the songs to get a better understanding of how the songs should sound.
What were some of the challenges you encountered while making your latest album?
MS: A challenge we had was really trying to figure out our sound. Everyone agreed that songs were good but no one was completely sure about what sound Blacktop Mourning should have. And I think to accomplish that, everyone would have to step out of their comfort zones to do what was best for the song. Whether or not we discovered our sound on this record, I’m really proud of the diversity on this CD. Every song has something completely different to offer. We have everything from a “metal-esque jam” to a power ballad.
What are you most proud of about the album?
MS: I’m most proud of the record with how it turned out overall. I wrote the majority of the songs when I was 15 and 16. And on this record, I have very little to no changes I would want to make…as opposed to our last record. I was embarrassed of certain aspects I wanted desperately to change. And on this record, we were able to make changes and end up where Adam (Duritz) and I wanted it to end up.
What is the best song on the new album and why?
MS: It’s hard to pick the best song. It’s kind of like saying ‘pick your favorite child’ (not that I have any children).. but I’d say my favorite is “Don’t Defend.” I think that was everyone’s least favorite on the last CD, but I always knew it was a good song, it just had to be captured a certain way. I decided to drastically change the key and turn it more into an acoustic piano pop rock song as opposed to a straight up pop punk song. I also think Adam’s feature is just perfect. Now, it’s everyone’s favorite in the band.
Were there any songs that didn’t make it to the final cut that you really wish had?
MS: No, even though I write a lot, I rarely complete a full song in a short period of time. I write all the time and fill in all the pieces of the song, every part, over long periods of time. For me and this band, I think that works out better because it kind of helps me sift out the mediocre stuff and just have the band learn only the stuff I’m really excited about.
What were your hopes for the album and how have things gone with it so far?
MS: My hopes for the album were to get a recording of the songs that I and the band would be satisfied with. Then, I guess it’s nice to have people like it too, it’s always nice to have people enjoy your work, and so far the reviews have been incredible. We’re pretty pleased with them so far.
What direction do you see the band/yourself going in next?
MS: Definitely expanding on what’s on this record. I don’t think we will change our sound really, but I think the songs will just simply be better. Only 2 songs on this record are songs I didn’t write when I was 16. So I’m really looking forward to the next record already…haha. One thing that’s tough with bands changing their sound is that they lose something that was special about their music in the first place and it kind of leaves you feeling like it’s missing something that made you like their previous stuff in the first place. Not that bands haven’t made successful ‘360s’. My favorite band, Silverchair, is a good example. Every single record has sounded completely different from it’s previous record. And, each time bringing something completely spectacular to the table. People are always uneasy because they spend the whole 2 years in-between albums painting this picture in their head of what the next album will sound like. Hearing something different is always unsettling. But, I’ve found to trust certa
in songwriters to never let me down and if you give records a chance, you might able to appreciate it in a different way than you expected.
What plans do you/the band have for the near and distant future?
MS: Well, we have some big one-offs coming up like Bamboozle, some big hometown release shows. We got 4 big Warped dates as well as many tours in the works, some confirmed that we just haven’t announced yet. We know we’ll be out east for all of July.
What are your aspirations for yourself/the band at this point?
MS: I know for myself being successful is being able to support myself while doing something I love. And if I can do anything music-related, I’ll always be happy. Our goal as a band has been to make music for a long time. We hope to be together for a long time, performing live and grateful to be making a living at doing something we love. Although I think that Nate has a beach in his future, along with a race-track. I really think we all just hope to have the gift of making music for a really long time.
Do you think the MySpace phenomenon has helped or hurt you/your band at all?
MS: MySpace has been huge in this band’s success, if you will. MTV came to us and put us all over their shows, and our music was then exposed to our very prestigious Record Label President, Adam Duritz! MySpace is unreal!
What upcoming albums by other artists are you really psyched to hear?
MS: I’m super excited for the Alkaline Trio’s new CD, and I think Silverchair’s new cd is the most beautiful piece of art since their previous release Diorama which is my favorite record of all time.
Is there any particular band or artist you’d really love to work and/or tour with?
MS: Hmmmm…I’d love to do work with someone like Dave Grohl, because I started playing guitar when I was 8 because of Nirvana and the Foo Fighers. I’d love to tour with Alkaline Trio. I also think it would be awesome to tour with Adam and the Counting Crows?pretty much any tour that has people coming out every night, I’d be more than satisfied with. Nate and Greg want to work with Akon!
While most artists want to be known for doing something original, every musician has likely been influenced by another band or artist. Who has been your biggest influence or what band/musician do you most admire?
MS: Like I said earlier, I started playing guitar when I was 8 listening to bands like Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Silverchair. Yet when I was 11 I really got into blues and classic rock musicians - like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Led Zeppelin, CCR, etc.
What do you like best and least about the tour grind?
MS: The best part about touring is of course the shows, and the least is that you really lose any kind of personal space. Everyone’s always all ‘up in your grill’ and things can get tense on long road trips.
What was the last song you heard that made you want to hurt another person?
MS: A song that made me want to hurt someone? I’ve never really hated on a band for playing bad music. I think everyone is so incredibly negative these days and truly hating bands and people in these bands for playing music they themselves don’t enjoy. I guess some people don’t like to see bands get successful that they don’t like. With the all tragic things going on in the world, I don’t understand why anyone would waste their time trashing people who make music? Nothing is really more pathetic than internet trash-talkers.
If you, or your band, were a Saved By the Bell character, which one would you be? (If you have never watched Saved by the Bell, substitute your favorite show).
MS: I’ve never seen Saved by the Bell, but I have seen Celebrity Fit Club with that dude, Dustin Diamond. That dude’s a Psycho! And, I do remember my band all pin-pointed which member of the 7th Heaven TV show family we were. I think I was Eric, the preacher dad, Greg (Gerard - drums) was Mary, Shawn was Lucy, and Joe was Simon, and Nate was Ruthie. Not that this could get any creepier, but we recently recorded a cover of the 7th Heaven theme song! It’s awesome! We should put it out as a b-side. I also want to add upon recording this cover, the whole ‘which band member’ corresponds to ‘which person’ in the Camden family conversation was sparked. It’s not like we’re obsessed with the show or anything weird like that.
What inspires during the lyric writing/creating stage?
MS: When I’m writing melodies, I have certain sounds that I think go well with the melodies. It’s usually gibberish and phonetic only, so I spend a lot of time trying to come up with stuff that sounds cool musically and then also has great meaning.
Do you plan on doing any collaborating in the near future or for your next release?
MS: I don’t really like forced collaboration. If it happens, it happens. But I also love producing other people’s music. I record and produce my friends’ bands quite frequently.
Who is your favorite songwriter or artist and why?
MS: My favorite artist for sure is Daniel Johns. Everything he writes sounds so perfect to me. No other music has affected me the way his (Silverchair’s) has. Joe feels the same way and admires him tremendously as a vocalist.
How would you like to reflect on your work ten years from now?
MS: I would like to look back with little to no regret, no pun intended. But I think that’s also why we gave the CD the name that we did. A lot of drastic things happened in the band and in our lives that made everyone uneasy and not sure what was going to happen. But looking back, we can all honestly say we regret nothing and couldn’t be happier to be the position we are in right now.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By: Frank Valish [Published May 14, 2007]
Source: Amplifiermagazine.com
Blacktop Mourning is one of two inaugural signings on Counting Crow Adam Duritz’ new record label, Tyrannosaurus Records (T-Recs, get it?). Allegedly discovered on Myspace.com, the band has already scored spots on various MTV shows with its accessible brand of hooky pop-punk. Its debut full-length breaks no new ground, following closely in the steps of like-minded bands like New Found Glory, but what it does bring is some of the most insanely catchy songs this side of bubblegum pop. Vocals soar, accented by heavy harmonies, and the guitar work is more melodic than one would expect out of a genre that typically relies on repetitive chugging. The riff in “These Times Call” lodges itself in your frontal lobe and refuses to be shaken free, the harmonies on the super-ballad “Hardly Recognize” (with vocal support from Duritz) could easily bring a weaker man to tears, and the instrumental work on the near seven-minute album closer, “As Time Crawls By,” is positively metal. But the piece de resistance might be “Don’t Defend,” with its shake-and-shimmy electric guitar, chiming acoustic six-string, and plaintive piano intro culminating in an ultra-rocking pop-punk epic for the ages. If Blacktop Mourning can transcend the limitations of the genre to which it’s most closely aligned, the sky will be the limit.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By: FallonRules [Published May 9, 2007]
Source: Absolutepunk.net
Seems like lately, bands that were once huge adult-alternative radio fixtures are being hailed as “scene icons”. From the resurgence of Third Eye Blind and the utmost praise for Goo Goo Dolls, those guys you see on late-night compilation commercials are now labeled as inspiration for today’s big bands.
Most recently, Counting Crows’ frontman Adam Duritz has been getting loads of praise from artists like Dashboard Confessional (who featured him on their last album), and now with his recent new-found success in the music world, he has just started up his own record label. Called Tyrannosaurus Records (T-Recs, get it?), Duritz’s first signing was Chicago’s Blacktop Mourning, which gained a lot of notoriety on MySpace and earned themselves a contract with MTV to feature music on their programs, all before they were even signed.
Now after only a couple months from being signed, the young pop-punk band is preparing to release their terrific debut, No Regret, which is a perfect title for such an album, full of edgy pop hooks and powerful emotion. The band - consisting of 18-year old guitar prodigy Max Steger (who also co-produces the disc), Shawn Nystrand on rhythm guitar, Nate Wethy taking bass duties, Greg Gerard on drums and vocalist Joe Levand - is destined to be one of this year’s next big breakthrough acts. They have a sound that is familiar to fans of bands like Fall Out Boy (circa 2003), Yellowcard and The Academy Is…, and with Duritz’s seal of approval, they are likely to take off about as quickly as they came in.
Beginning with the piano-led introductory track, “6AM,” the album shifts into what it predominately exceeds at, pure energetic, hard-egded pop-punk. “Halfway To Midnight” is about finding redemption, and uses layered vocals by Levand to convey somebody arguing with themselves, while reeling in the listener with distorted guitars and fast-paced choruses. The anthemic “Future’s Gone” blends acoustic rhythm with bombastic guitars, while “Don’t Defend” goes for an old-school pop-punk feel in its choruses, while using lots of piano and acoustic guitars (matched by Steger’s endless distortion guitar).
“My Only Heart” is a darker, moodier and all-around heavier number (and one of the album’s finest tracks) where Steger and Nystrand battle back and forth with each other, with guitar hero Max breaking into a nifty blues-inspired rock solo. From there, we are led into the soaring and upbeat “These Times Call,” where Levand goes from crooner to bitter middle-finger saluter. It’s the album’s most pop-punk inspired number as a whole, and like all their songs, doesn’t use traditional verse-chorus-verse methods to reach a quick result; the band takes their time to get to the core of their songs (most songs are over the four-minute mark), which make them stand out from their peers.
“Your First Crime” is another anthemic blast, full of breezy musicianship and power chords to make your hair stand on end. “Hardly Recognize” is a slow-moving ballad (the lone one on the album) thats displays a sincere pallet of feeling and accompanied by Duritz’s vocals (he lends his distinctive chops to three other songs, as well), makes it one of the album’s most moving cuts, despite the Richard Marx-like cheesy guitar solo sandwiched in the middle.
The sounds of deep, chest-thumping drums and indie-rock guitar make the skeleton for the energetic “Another Day,” which is then followed by the first-class and moody “Buried My Eyes,” which doesn’t stand out particularly, but is still catchy enough. The album closes with the 6 minute 41 second epic “As Time Crawls By,” which is mostly used to showcase the musical talents of this young band (especially the extraordinary skills of eclectic guitarist Steger), as Levand has taken the album to display his impressive vocal abilities.
With all the production dones very well by Duritz and producing partner David Immergluck (along with the band’s Max Steger), these newcomers sound like refined pros, and there is no doubt that they will be one of the year’s most buzzed about bands. The musicianship is tight and clean, with pop-pun hooks backed by blues-inspired riffage, the lyrics stay away from typical pop-punk cliches and they bring atmosphere to each song, changing the personality of each tune presented. And standing at 45 minutes long, the 11 tracks that make up the disc are neither less or more - they fit the length just right.
Easily one of 2007’s best releases, for fans of pop-punk with flair and edge attached, look no further than Blacktop Mourning - you’ll have no regrets after hearing these young talents. And be sure to thank Adam Duritz for one more item of praise after you’re done.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By: Mike Farley [Published May 2007]
Source: Bullzeye.com
It’s painfully obvious that there are way too many of these pop/punk bands out there, clogging the airwaves, MTV beach parties, and any films that are geared toward the kids. But every once in a while, the talent in a band outweighs the fact that they are being lumped into a packed genre.
Enter Chicago band Blacktop Mourning, and their album No Regrets, which is the first release on Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz’ new label, Tyrannosaurus Records. Lead guitarist and bandleader Max Steger is only 18, and has been labeled as a prodigy since he was 11. But take all that away, and the fact remains that this kid already knows his way around a song. Somehow, these songs fit into their intended genre, but the musicianship and sophistication of the song structures and arrangements are mature beyond their years.
The fact that Duritz and Crows guitarist David Immergluck contributed as producers doesn’t hurt either, because those guys surely know how to churn out hits. Some of the up-tempo songs tend to run into each other, but they are still good tracks nonetheless, with the standouts being “Halfway to Midnight” and “These Times Call.” In addition, the band shows its versatility on “Hardly Recognize,” a made-for-TV teen anthem if ever there was one. Comparisons to Green Day are going to be made, and Blacktop Mourning has the potential for that same kind of longevity.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By: Nahteboy [Published May 8, 2007]
Source: Popsyndicate.com
The next big pop/punk band Counting Crows singer Adam Duritz discovered this band on MySpace.com and immediately signed them to his new label. MTV inked a deal with them only 2 weeks after they hit MySpace and their music appeared at the top of the rotation for the music (?) channel’s reality shows. Duritz not only co-produces the band but contributes vocals on four of the 11 tracks. Recently deceased Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun was impressed by lead guitarists Max Steger’s playing back when the guy was only 11 years old. He’s only 18 now, but obviously this kid has some talented chops. So who is this wündergruppe? The Chicago-based band is called Blacktop Mourning and the debut album is No Regret. Is it worth the hype? It does have interesting lyrics, a decent vocalist in Joe Levand. The music being some edgy rock with a little punk angst thrown in, he doesn’t have a huge vocal range, but it works for this energetic music. Nate Wethy holds down the beat with his bass playing along with drummer Greg Gerard. Gerard has some talent on the skins, playing more than just a simple beat. He throws in a lot of rudiments and rolls that compliment the arpeggios of Steger’s guitar parts before the heavier chords kick in and the band rips loose like on ”My Only Heart” or “As Time Crawls By.” Steger’s guitar work is accompanied by rhythm guitarist Shawn Nystrand, giving their music a very full sound. At times it comes close to sounding a little cluttered, but the parts are still discernible. All eleven tracks on No Regret are pretty strong and with the energy that comes off the disc, I’m sure the band is like a small tornado on the stage playing live. Check them out on MySpace.com/blacktopmourning or at Blacktopmourning.com for info and tour dates.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By: Dave Lifton [Published May 9, 2007]
Source: BlogCritics.Org
Blacktop Mourning are fast becoming one of the success stories of Web 2.0. Shortly after putting up a MySpace page in late 2005, the Chicagoland group had signed a deal with MTV, who put songs from their debut EP all over their reality shows. So if you watch Meet The Barkers or The Hills, there’s a good chance that you’ve already heard these songs at some point.
It’s not hard to hear why these songs attracted MTV. Blacktop Mourning, whose first full-length CD, No Regret, comes out on Tuesday, play modern radio-friendly, angst-ridden pop-punk.
Blacktop Mourning stand out from the rest of the pack of similarly-described bands for two reasons. First is drummer Greg Gerard, who propels the songs with his clever beats and fills. Second is Max Steger, the songwriter, lead guitarist and co-producer whose talent belies the fact that he is only 18 years old. His coloring, using both acoustic and electric guitars, helps shape the best tracks here, like “Don’t Defend,” “My Only Heart,” and “Another Day.” Steger also rips off some brief but fiery solos that give a glimpse into the prodigious talent that have impressed crowds in some of Chicago’s top blues clubs.
Blacktop Mourning are signed to Tyrannosaurus Records, the label formed by Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz, who co-produced No Regret with Steger and fellow Crow David Immergluck. Duritz also lends his voice to four of the 11 tracks. Although the ballad “Hardly Recognize” wouldn’t have sounded out of place on August And Everything After, Duritz deserves a lot of credit for branching out and finding bands that aren’t clones of his own.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By: Pär Winberg [Published May 2007]
Source: Melodic.net
(4 stars) Counting Crows lead singer, Adam Duritz, release the first CD on his newly founded label Tyrannosaurus Records (easy name huh? – so it’s easier to say T-recs) next week. And the first band to have the chance to proof their talents on the label is Blacktop Mourning with the songwriter and guitarist Max Steger in the leading role together with Joe Levand’s strong vocals.
The band sits on huge talents and if you’re into modern rock spiced with a portion of EMO/punklight this band is more than a must. The production signed by Max Steger (with executive help from Duritz and David Immerglück) is very impressing and I am talking superlatives, I know, but the band is sure worth every penny of it. What about favorite songs then? “Halfway To Midnight” is one killer with a tremendous refrain, the bombastic “My Only Heart” with a H U G E refrain is another bloody killer. Just listen to the fat guitars! It’s one of the best modern rock songs of 2007. Easily. And there are as I said plenty more songs on this debut album that are highly impressing stuff. So it is just to congratulate Adam Duritz for his first signing, cause this is more or less a classic debut in the genre worth four strong bright shining stars.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By: Matt Rowe [Published 05/02/07]
Source: Musictap.net
(4 stars) The pairing of Blacktop Mourning and Adam Duritz’s new Tyrannosaurus Records underscores the importance of not only MySpace and their attentive outreach to music lovers the world over by providing promotional pages to bands, it also shows that a band’s success can depend on the internet.
Once Blacktop Mourning set up their MySpace page, interest skyrocketed leading to their first album, No Regret. Led by youthful guitar virtuoso, Max Steger (who was once heralded by Atlantic Records’ Ahmet Ertegun as “…one of the best guitar players I’ve ever seen”), Blacktop Mourning is completed by four other musicians. With over half a million plays from their MySpace page and being called one of the “…bands to watch in 2006,” by Chicago’s Q101FM, Blacktop Mourning certainly has things tilted their way.
Although the music that Blacktop Mourning plays is similar in style to bands like Blue October, they do provide an energetically talented core of musicians with good songwriting skills, which helps them to stand out a little better. Standing out in this age of a deluge of pop-punk is necessary and Steger’s band provides a top-tier of songs. I like the blend of piano and guitar in “6AM,” the opening track to the album. The song sets the pace for the rest of the album. As compositions, lots of their 11 songs are radio-ready, with rich melody and music.
Another thing that I like about Blacktop Mourning is the ability to pick out their influences from an earlier era of music. This means that while many current bands learn chords and then follow the current stream of music, it is evident that Blacktop Mourning are serious music lovers from their snippets of detectable influences that extend over a decade and a half. And if you want to hear some real Steger guitar work, listen to “My Only Heart.”
No Regret is current culture pop-punk music that should easily strike a chord with younger audiences.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By: Chris Spector Published [March 18, 2007]
Source: Midwest Record
Say what you will about him but Adam Duritz is putting his money where his mouth is for starting a label to put out a Chicago pop/punk band that’s been bubbling under ala MTV placements, MySpace hits and hometown radio. Still in their teens, they have the sound that could easily get them in the middle of all kinds of corruption and decadence that could only be the envy of all their friends. Well crafted young music for young tastes, the next generation of the underground is making it’s move.
Blacktop Mourning - “No Regret”
By: Brodi Holmen [Published May 7 2007]
Source: East Coast Romper
Adam Duritz (COUNTING CROWS) has been busy as of late and his new record label, Tyrannosaurus Records will be using BLACKTOP MOURNING as their flag ship. Additionally, he contributed to the album by adding his vocals to a handful of tracks. They were destined for at the least, some minor fame because of all their appearances on MTV through the many annoying reality shows. Having Adam hold their collective hands for their debut certainly made their lives a shade be easier. So with all the additional help that isn’t usually afforded to aspiring rock bands, is there music worth your time and effort? Surprisingly, the band does possess a real flair for cutting well rounded tunes that run the gauntlet of emotions and style. They infused punkish jaunts, rock inspired melodies and witty orchestrations together into a memorable listening experience. The guitar work is purely dynamic yet edgy while the drumming and bass work maintain a proper sense of energy. Lyrically speaking, it may not command adoration but the music by itself was lush and relevant. Some of the riffs may not blow you away but the leads will certainly grab your attention and never let go. It is what it is; charged up rock and roll with some sneaky intelligence.
