Concert Review: The Morning Of

Newcomer to Bamboozle Rocked it

May 20, 2008—The Morning Of—Newburgh, NY—played at Bamboozle 2008 for the first time on May 3^rd, 2008. This is a happy, energetic band that is also very talented. Their new Indie pop-punk album is “The World As We know it” (Tragic Hero Records). For a newcomer to Bamboozle, their confidence and stage presence looked as though they were returning artists. In between songs, the guitarist said, “Two years ago I stood in the stands and thought, ‘wow, wouldn’t it be cool to play at Bamboozle,’” which made me wonder, where will they be two years from now?

[The Band]

‘The Morning Of’ (Indie / Pop / Rock) from Newburgh, NY, features Jessica Leplon on Vocals, Abir Hossain on Bass, Rob McCurdy on Guitar, Chris Petrosino on Guitar/Piano, Jimmi Kane on Drums, and Justin Wiley on Vocals.

The first impression I got of the band was that they have a New York vibe—the “we’re not trying to be anyone where not”- post punk vibe. The band is genuinely happy and content with themselves which is conveyed through their music. The girl singer Jessica Leplon is a talent, although her stage act was little bit like Electra from Guitar Hero.

The top best qualities of the band are the good chemistry between the two singers and their stage presence. While at Bamboozle, their stage presence delivered and they engaged the crowd the whole time. They were polite, friendly, and down-to-earth.

[The Music]

Every song was happy, energizing, and upbeat. They have very skilled guitar and keyboard players. The drums were a little bombastic at times but overall they worked well to compliment the guitars and vocals. They should do more to highlight Leplon; they have potential but they need their own sound.

“Reverie” has poetic lyrics, skilled guitar, piano and drum playing. It’s the type of song that you put on in the car for a long road trip because it is safe for the whole family and keeps you upbeat, happy and away from road rage.

“Let Your Spirit Soar” I love the piano playing, but the lyrics overshadow it. With lyrics like “live each day like its your last,” “things will be just fine,” “don’t break hearts… We’re living in a time of living’s last chance… let your spirit soar”— it sounds like the music that you listened when you just came out of the angsty-teenager phase and listened of to a lot of bubble-gum music. Overall it is well done and an energetic, upbeat, happy song.

“The Sound of Something” I love Leplon’s voice, but the hook is way too bubblegum. And it’s the same thing with the lyrics “Raise the mast and set the sails… I can not see what is up ahead.” Leplon’s voice is what saves this song

“Violins and Trees” intro is skillfully done. Combination of the piano, lyrics, guitar and drums is all perfectly and masterfully put together. This song really sounds like the song you’d hear in an upbeat romantic teen comedy at the part where they fall in love.

“Let Your Spirit Soar (Remix)” The remix is vocal centric with a dance beat as opposed the original. Basically, it sounds like the original is the song that you would hear at the intro of a romantic teen comedy, and then the remix you would hear at the end of the movie during the dance scene that every romantic teen comedy movie has.

“Grey Turning Gold Turning Light” nice drum into, electric keyboard sounds good, guitars are lost. Leplon’s voice is lost. It sounds better live than the recording.

[The Bottom Line]

They still need a unique, readily identifiable sound, but their guitar playing, instrumentation, and harmonization delivered. Their best songs sound like the music is you’d hear in an upbeat teen-romantic comedy at the part where the actors fall in love. Their new album is “The World As We know it.” I love the combination of the two voices, almost enough to forget the Electra-from-Guitar-Hero stage act—the more Leplon sings, the more I’m more impressed. Every musician in the band is skilled and the band rocked at Bamboozle 2008.

-leigh silbernagel, May 20, 2008