antiMusic.com: Media Lab - Bleeding Memory Review

Media Lab - Bleeding Memory Review
by Matthew Hastie

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I really enjoy getting CDs from bands I've never heard of. If it's a band I like and the album is bad, I'm let down. But with a band I've yet to hear, not only will I not be let down but I might also get the hell surprised out of me. The later is the case with Media Lab's "Bleeding Memory". The album kicks some ass and leaves you wanting more.

Although the album at times feels a little copied (you can hear Deftones everywhere on this record, and the lead singer sounds a lot like Breaking Benjamin), it's almost as if a new twist has been put on the songs. "Embers" and "Bleeding Memory" are examples of this, but they still stand alone as great tracks. "Our Summer" is another rocking tune, with some decent double bass action. "Come Alive" almost has a TRUSTcompany feel to it with the delayed guitars and distant vocals.

One of the weirdest things I came upon on this album, actually on any album this year, is the album closer. Similar to Ra covering the Police, Media Lab dig back in time with a phenomenal cover of U2's "With Or Without You" and actually almost do a better job of it than they do.

All in all the album is pretty rocking and even has a few surprises hidden away in it. While they should take a few steps away from their influences and peers, the album certainly isn't lacking. It feels more of an extension of a genre than ground breaking, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

CD Info and Links

Media Lab - Bleeding Memory
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