| CD REVIEW The Maple Room |
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Band : The Maple Room You know something? I’m sure that whomever hears the material on this Belgian band’s latest offering would agree with the statement that here is a band come to maturity! The band members also felt that way, and they were actually looking forward to making a step up on the corporate music ladder, shopping the album around to several (bigger & major) labels. Too bad for them, none felt eager to set sail with the quintet. And I’m afraid that’s more a sign of the effects of these uncertain economical times on the labels, than of the musical qualities of the band (at this very moment, I prefer not to get into major label policies). Now although former collegue and globetrotter Karin did a review of the band’s 2007 sophomore album A Glimpse Of The Inside (posted 06/10/2007), she did only a summary job on the band’s history, so here goes. TMR was originated in 2004, and have build up a nice set of gigs since (over 350 shows in Belgium, Holland, the UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Portugal, and even China – the latter a 13-gig trip in September 2009). The list of notable bands they player with is equally long and impressive, but we won’t bother you with those details. The band has done a coupe of notable festival appearances, including Groezrock (camping show in 2005, main stage show in 2006), Graspop Metel Meeting in 2006, and Pukkelpop the same year. TMR released both the 2005 debut album Uncover Everyone and 2007’s A Glimpse… through Funtime Records for the Benelux and Four Aces Records (the debut)and Shave The Area Records (sophomore album)in the UK. Funny detail: late last year our National radio station Studio Brussel organized a Battle Of The Bands, first prize of which would be to play support for Channel Zero at the sold-out shows at Brussel’s Ancienne Belgique venue. TMR was victorious, in spite of the fact that Roadrunner (to which Channel Zero are signed)was among the labels that turned the new album down. Still, luckily the guys could still return to the old nest! Which is why you’ll be able to buy the quintet’s newest album (yo, by the way…the line-up consists of lead singer Marcus Deblaere, guitarist/ backing singer Kristof Valgaerts, bassist/ screamer Dries Mangelschots, drummer Niels Dzintar, and guitarist Kristof B. (replaced Tom Van Den Broeck whom still played on the recordings) at a fair price, instead of that which you would’ve had to pay had the album been released by a major label! Musically speaking, the guys stepped off the pure Emo-Screamo Hardcore thing, and gave their music a more “mature” touch, gearing it more towards the Rock side of the musical spectrum, even adding a some of Metal touches. Shocks, yoou’ll still find plenty of screamed moment and passages in the vocals, but overall you’ll not be tempted to just classify the whole as just mere “Emocore”! The album was again recorded/ mixed/ produced by Ace Tec (in co-production with the band), which is already óne continuity. And, while still recognizable as TMR, you’ll find the band’s music these days is somewhat more refined. Your thing or not? Check it out at myspace.com/themapleroom, where the band has not only posted a couple of songs off the new album (alongside older material – makes a comparison possible), and some studio report and other videos, but also a list of future gigs. 85/100 Tony. |