Artist to Watch: The Better World

I’d like you to meet The Better World. The name is not a coincidence, this band is blazing a trail in rock and roll that could just be a new face of – or the better world of, if you will – music today. The trio from Bergen County, New Jersey,  Matt Coban on vocals and guitar, Justin Miskowski on guitar, and Elli Rothenburg on drums, are simultaneously bringing us back to the roots of rock and roll while representing the genre’s next generation. They keep it simple, but that’s a good thing. It’s straightforward, honest rock. Their new album, Broken Memories, produced by Jason Corsaro (Soundgarden, Buckcherry) and mastered by Howie Weinburg (Nirvana, U2), takes you on a roller coaster of fist pumping rocking out to lyrics that catch you off guard with how emotional and relatable they are. You can put this one album on whether you’re looking for it to accompany your good time, or if you’re looking to mellow out and get lost in the music.

This is a trio of undeniably talented musicians, who know how to take that talent and weave it into music that can reach out and grab even the unlikeliest fan. It’s hard to find such strong songwriting in music now, to find an album complete with songs that each stand on their own with powerful melodies and poetic but real lyrics. You won’t be skipping any tracks. The album is packed with every element you want from music, from the catchier hook of “It’s Alright” that could easily take over the radio waves, to the in-your-face, angst-ridden, tear-it-up “Only One.”  My personal favorite? “Empty Promises.” A Led Zeppelin-esque guitar hook leads us to a pretty ballad with an even prettier chorus that you won’t be able to resist singing along to - but don’t feel bad if you don’t sound as good as Coban: his hoarse, rock-and-roll-soaked voice gives the sweet melody some edge.

Check the band out at www.myspace.com/thebetterworld, where you can check out their scheduled shows, get more information on the band, and follow their rise to the top. Their page contains all sorts ogf great stuff, like where to vote for them to be named The Next Big Thing, where their latest mentions in the media are, and when to catch their songs on what radio stations. You can download their music on iTunes, so get to it!

August 6th, 2009 by Courtney Iseman | Posted in News | (0)