Rating:  -
Greenwheel's debut CD, "Soma Holiday", while it contains a few good singles, falls in the trap so many other rock bands fall into today: it sounds like everything else. Greenwheel's sound is nearly indistinguishable from any number of bands out there today, namely Creed, Fuel, Lifehouse, Default, etc. That's not to say it's a BAD listen....but it's not a great record, either.
My biggest complaints are the clenched, too familiar vocals and the lack of variety in the music. Virtually every song has the same tempo and pattern (loud intro, medium volume verse, loud chorus) and, after three or four songs, they all melt together. As for the vocals, what Ryan Jordan presents here are no different than the growling/yelling/clenched vocals that have previously been displayed on records by Fuel, Seven Mary Three, and countless other bands.
The best songs on the disc are "Breathe", "Strong", and "Louder Than Words". The former has big time single potential. The middle has a solid power hook. The latter has good lyrics and a catchy chorus.
Greenwheel is a band that could very well have big time success (like Fuel and Creed before them) or they could be merely a blip on the music radar screen like so many other bands of their ilk. It's a [gamble] as to which way they will go.
Rating:  -
Well, this review may be considered harsh to the 72 others who all gave it 5 stars. No WAY does it deserve THAT much, but I would give Greenwheel's "Soma Holiday" 3 and a half-stars. That is about right. Anyhoo, I had this band's name in mind, as I thought "Shelter" was one of the few standout songs on the Spiderman Soundtrack, so I wanted to get a full album to see what else they had to offer. Well, hearing the song again, and the full album, they struck me as a Matchbox Twenty who is harder-edged and not nearly as bland. They are a GOOD, even GREAT band, but no way are they the best band around, nor are they anything groundbreaking or original. I'm sure they put on a good show too. Then again, ANYONE is better than lame bands like Default and Nickelback, and even Injected, who basically suck. At least Greenwheel have solid melodies and what appear to be pretty good lyrics. However, their singer, Ryan Jordan sounds too much like a Rob Thomas clone, which can't be avoided. He's an OK singer, with passion, just his tone and clenched delivery sounds too much like Rob for his own good. PLUS, here are 2 examples of bands that sound just like Greenwheel, and they came out between 1997 + 1999 and both flopped: FOAM (young band from Hagerstown, Maryland, 1 album on Epic, a good one called "Big Windshield, Little Mirror", sounds just like "Soma Holiday" but bombed), and COOL FOR AUGUST (1 album on Warner Bros, called "Grand World", a coupla minor hits: "Trials" + "Walk Away", same producer as MB20--Matt Serletic, but it basicaly flopped.) Seek these 2 records out and you'll see what I mean that they had the same exact sound Greenwheel have now, really!! We'll see if they have success or bomb just like Foam and Cool For August. My picks for best songs here ar "Shelter", "Breathe" and "Dim Halo". I wish them luck, these Missouri boys, they seem like alright guys, I really do.
Rating:  -
I heard "shelter" on spiderman and "breathe" on the smallville finale, and i knew i had to get the cd the day it came out. Soma Holiday is a great cd. First off, unlike some cds where all the songs sound exactly the same, minus the different lyrics, every song on the GW cd has its own unique sound. This is one of the few cds where you can sit and listen the entire thing, instead of skipping a track here or there. The best songs are 'Drowning Man', 'Sustain You', and 'Radiance'.
Rating:  -
i saw these clowns late last year with two other "up and coming" bands...rubyhorse and flickerstick. let me just say that while flickerstick was the reason we went to the show (from seeing them win bands on the run) and were solid, rubyhorse were outstanding! meanwhile, greenwheel were the most generic sounding band i have heard in a long time. they will be soon forgotten, along with band like default and a bunch of others i already can't remember. if you're into anything interesting in your rock, stay away from greenwheel.
Rating: -
Greenwheel is the best new band out there right now, they are touring all over the country and making new fans everywhere. their new cd Soma Holiday is amazing. every song is unique and emotion-filled. No one can sing like Ryan, and the instruments are played with emotion and polish. this band is going to be in your face for a long time. hope you enjoy the ride. hope they do too.
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