So I obtained this from itunes and was listening to it all day at work. Let me just state that I detested this band for a long time. I suppose some of that was just being jealous those dudes from Des Moines were having way more success than any of us were. However, now that they are like, ridiculously huge, and I haven't set foot on a stage in almost 4 years (really?), I can be much more objective. I REALLY liked Volume 3 and thought that album struck a really good balance between good songwriting and blunt force trauma. It's a pretty constant staple in the ipod I use for running/cycling.
So I heard the song Psychosocial and was convinced enough by it that this album would be in that same direction (I thought Iowa was too much gutteral and not enough song craft, and I don't give a shit about anything before that). I've run through all the songs maybe 3-4 times now and I definitely have my faves. Psychosocial, Gehanna (in all its Alice in Chains throwback glory) and Snuff are excellent. There's some other really good ones too. The dudes who play the 'auxillary percussion' or whatever are a lot more pronounced here which is nice. The riffs are less of the gutteral c sharp nonsense and more thrashy than before. Lots more harmonies too, and the guitar solos are less of that directionless frenetic shit on Vol 3 and more melodic and do what a guitar solo should do. Basically it feels like more of a cross between Stone Sour and Slipknot in that regard (which is a good thing IM oh so HO). It's not as experimental as Vol 3 with the non-heavy shit (although we still have a pretty solid acoustic track), but Corey's vocals definitely stretch. As of right now, I'd call him the MVP of this outing. We have some killer falsetto things that work ridiculously well against the music (and not in that whiney Thom Yorke kinda way). I'm glad they are keeping an emphasis on vocal hooks throughout. That was something Iowa lacked and Vol 3 was hinting at.
I dunno if you should buy this or not. Basically if you like Stone Sour's last one, you'll like this, and if you LOVED Iowa and hated Vol 3, you probably won't like it. But it's here if you're so inclined.
Comments (3)
I have never hated the guys, but the only album I own by them is Mate.Feed.Kill. the independent one they released when they were coming up.
I've always wanted to buy their stuff, but since I know them I feel this sense of entitlement like they should just know that they should send me a copy.
I'm jealous too.
Wish I would have made it that far.
Posted by Microwaved | August 28, 2008 12:31 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 12:31
Heh, yeah I remember when those MFKR things were circulating around. Co-Op had like a billion of 'em.
To be honest, given everything those guys have gone through, and what their lives are like (being gone for years on end and stuff), I don't know that its the life I would want as a 29 year old triathlete dude. As a 22-23 year old band dude absolutely. But I make plenty of money and riding around on a bus, doing interview after interview and listening to a bunch of yes-men while still trying to appeal to a generation that thinks angst is something new has zero appeal to me now.
I imagine with your family and career you have now Gabe, you're probably thinking the same way.
I think they call that growing up or something haha
Posted by Dave McAnally | August 28, 2008 12:40 PM
Posted on August 28, 2008 12:40
Dave, groing up!? naw.... that's just silly talk right there. being gone from family and friends for so long would seem to get old after a while. I guess it's a stage in your mid - late 20's where you have to make a choice. either continue to stuggle if you haven't "made it" or move on to bigger and better things.
Posted by mike f. | August 29, 2008 10:22 AM
Posted on August 29, 2008 10:22