The All American Rejects and Division of Laura Lee

By Ashley-Kiana

The All American Rejects (Doghouse Records/Dreamworks)

When I first received this cd I looked at the cover and thought, "What is this a modeling ad? Is this a new boy band (sarcasm included)?!" I popped in the new album and found out the band is just an everyday indie rock band blessed with aesthetically pleasing looks and the ability to play good, catchy music. What band is this? The All American Rejects.

I had no clue AAR was being played all over the radio air waves. I only listen to the radio about once every 2 years (literally). I am not really into radio bands. I usually turn the radio dial until I find a decent eighties station which I end up switching off five second later; but this radio band kept my attention. Listen to one of their songs and the next thing you know you will be singing your heart out in the shower, the car, and 8-5
at work.

AAR is catchy but not cliche like most radio gigs these days. The words are easy to hear and the lyrics easy to understand. These boys sing about day to day experiences and thoughts in their "All American Lives." The band's sound fits the band's title, perfectly, minus the reject.

The Division Of Laura Lee - Black City (Epitaph)

Division of Laura Lee otherwise known as DOLL is yet another of the up and coming bands from the Swedish Rock scene hitting America big. This band stands along the lines of the Hives, the (International) Noise Conspiracy, and Sahara Hotnights. The band is a mix between the Velvet Underground, the Hives, the Rolling Stones, and a splash of something else I can't place.

The band's new album called Black City has an edgy rock and roll beat. This is the kind of music I could dance to. The vocalist draws his crowd in with a dark and almost desperate sound. Even aside from the dreary sound, the music still makes me want to move. Black City makes me feel like I am in a movie or on a train with the world moving by fast. I don't want to ever get off because the music will stop.