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March Into Paris: Beautiful Chaos
March Into Paris Beautiful Chaos album new music review

March Into Paris: Beautiful Chaos

Alternative Hard Rock
3.5/5.0

Independent
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by Craig Hartranft,  08.29.2011

The dilemma for every female-fronted band in the 21st century is setting themselves off from the rest of the pack, especially since the pack is large and growing. Thankfully for us, March Into Paris isn't another goth rock or symphonic metal band, with another gal training to soar into the operatic atmosphere. No, first, MiP works from a solid foundation of modern melodic hard rock, perhaps post grunge alt rock works, so expect some extra heaviness and little to zero guitar solos. But foremost the formidable strength of the band is Ms. Valdez who has the passion of Aretha Franklin, the grit of Pat Benater, and the powerful delivery of Ann Wilson. (Although Ms. Valdez is likely too young to know who any of these women are.)

Straight from the start, on Ordinary Envy and Into the Ground, Valdez floors you with her natural power and unswerving focus. Both songs, as are most of the songs here, are heavier offerings with slick riffage driven by quite expert bass and drumming. Yet, except for Valdez' vocals, the music isn't extraordinary, simply solid alt rock. Tell Me is a tad lighter, just a tad, but between the melody and lyric, this is radio friendly, video ready, material that could give MiP a national push. Panic Room remains heavy, yet has that certain rock flexibility making it catchy and accessible. The remainder of the album repeats the heavier modern rock motif. There's some lighter turns on Inside My Heart and an actual guitar solo on the straight hard rocker No Response. With Body, Beautiful Chaos finishes with fundamental, but rather lackluster, heavy modern rock.

That last song might define a disturbing undercurrent within Beautiful Chaos. While Valdez is a great singer, powerful and emotive, after you get by the first several songs, that's all she is. There's seems to be nothing here, despite my comparisons to some great female vocalists, that shows any range beyond a rock singer. The fault my lie in song composition, as all songs are merely modern hard rock, because I can't believe this to be true of Ms. Valdez. She is just too damn good. She's like DeNiro or Pacino. Put in the most mediocre context, they carry the film. I think that's the case here; Jennifer Valdez carries the songs (even though the musicianship of the men is quite impressive).

With Beautiful Chaos, March Into Paris offers two things: first, fundamental, though sometimes rudimentary, modern melodic hard rock and, second and of most importance the dynamic and passionate vocals of vocalist Jennifer Valdez. Get this album for the latter and you will likely accept the former. Recommended.






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In Short

With Beautiful Chaos, March Into Paris offers two things: first, fundamental, though sometimes rudimentary, modern melodic hard rock and, second and of most importance the dynamic and passionate vocals of vocalist Jennifer Valdez. Get this album for the latter and you will likely accept the former. Recommended.

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