Category: rock

Nothing More – TURN IT UP LIKE (Stand In The Fire) | Track Review

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It has been roughly 5 years since the San Antonio rock band Nothing More released their 3rd studio album, The Stories We Tell Ourselves. And, for us fans of the band, the crave for new music has been itching us for a while. Our prays have been answered, however, as the band has released their first single off an upcoming album, along with a music video to coincide. The track is titled “TURN IT UP LIKE (Stand In The Fire)”, and it is one hell of a track to roar back into the airwaves.

The track begins with a beautiful buildup lasting just under a minute that includes heavily distorted chords and Jonny Hawkins’ signature soaring vocals. At the climax, heavy distorted guitars and Hawkins’ shouts combine to produce a sound that makes you want to get up and move. While angry and confident, the vocals convey a frantic and desperate state of mind that match the lyrical content. Anger over how the internet and media have affected everyone negatively is what this song is all about. I’m sure we can all relate somehow with the lines “All my friends are dead, they all got f***** by the internet” and “Same s***, new day”. Things get really interesting and intense during the buildup to the bridge. Nothing More for the first time have utilized their legendary Scorpion Tail instrument in a studio track. For those that don’t know, the Scorpion Tail is a 400-pound, 14 ft tall device created by the band’s bassist, Daniel Oliver. It is connected to the band’s instruments and is able to apply effects on incoming sounds such as notes and vocals in real time. They carry this thing to every show and incorporate it into their live set. Now for the first time, it has been used on a studio track, and it sounds great. While the device is for sure more impressive in a live setting, the use of non-traditional means to get unique sounds is something I would love to see more in the music industry. Moving on to the outro, it is yet another lovely breakdown slowing the beat down and sending you off with more strong screams from Hawkins. A very dynamic song, going up and down throughout the track while still staying structured. The chorus is catchy, making for a strong lead single while remaining heavy enough to still have some edge. Overall, I enjoyed this release and cannot wait for more music from Nothing More.

7/10

Eat The Elephant – A Perfect Circle

A Perfect Circle’s 2018 record “Eat The Elephant” was highly anticipated, for the alternative rock band’s last album came out 14 years before hand. This was the consequence for having one of the busiest front man in rock history, Maynard James Keenan. However, the wait was worth it as “Eat The Elephant” turned out to be a fantastic album. Some APC fans were disappointed, expecting the album to continue the angst of the first two records. Although heavily distorted guitars are in short supply, angst is not, for Keenan’s lyrics song after song call out a certain group of people. “TalkTalk”, for example, calls out complacent Christians who only “talk the talk” and not “walk the walk”. “The Doomed” takes a stab at society in general, refusing the ancient ideas of violence and selfishness that have been re-surging in the world recently. Not all tracks are pointing out flaws in others however, as Keenan uses a couple tracks to introduce self-enhancing ideas to the listener. The title track, “Eat The Elephant”, emphasizes the meaning of the old saying, encouraging his fans to not hesitate in front of daunting tasks but instead to happily jump right in. The first single off the album, “Disillusioned”, encourages listeners to “put the silicone obsession down”. This is obviously a shot at society’s dependence on the shiny rectangles in our pockets. The band even took this concept further, banning all phones during their concerts until the last song of the set. In conclusion, if you were expecting heavy metal, you will be disappointed. However, if you give Billy Howedel’s exceptional guitar and Maynard James Keenan’s mystical lyrics a listen with an open mind, you will be pleasantly surprised.

8/10

High-Points:

  1. The Doomed
  2. So Long, And Thanks for All The Fish
  3. TalkTalk
  4. Hourglass

Low-Points:

  1. Delicious
  2. Feathers