This post concludes my rapid fire run of half-assed reviews, and pretty much brings us up to date.
ARKELLS
Rally Cry
October 19, 2018 • Universal
Highlights Hand Me Downs • Relentless • Company Man
The fifth album from Hamilton rockers Arkells seeks to build on the momentum from smash stopgap single Knocking At the Door by piling on big hooks, slick production and blatant mainstream aspirations. They've been going in this direction for some time while maintaining the essence of their sound; it's sort of made them the scrappy underdogs who you can't help but root for. Now that they've made it, it's just a little disappointing to learn just how eager they are to scrub away virtually all trace of what they used to be in an effort to grasp that brass ring.
Rally Cry
October 19, 2018 • Universal
Highlights Hand Me Downs • Relentless • Company Man
The fifth album from Hamilton rockers Arkells seeks to build on the momentum from smash stopgap single Knocking At the Door by piling on big hooks, slick production and blatant mainstream aspirations. They've been going in this direction for some time while maintaining the essence of their sound; it's sort of made them the scrappy underdogs who you can't help but root for. Now that they've made it, it's just a little disappointing to learn just how eager they are to scrub away virtually all trace of what they used to be in an effort to grasp that brass ring.
DISTURBED
Evolution
October 19, 2018 • Reprise
Highlights Are You Ready • A Reason to Fight • Already Gone
Somehow, someway, Disturbed have survived the nu-metal backlash and carved out a decent career while maintaining a rabid fan base; however, they hadn't truly been in the collective consciousness for years when their cover of Simon & Garfunkel's The Sound of Silence smashed in 2015. So, their seventh album is presented as the next big artistic step for the band, and was trumped up prior to release as the sound of Disturbed challenging themselves. What this really means is there are some electronics thrown into the mix, and a lot more ballads than usual. The differences are noticeable to be sure but, as many new ideas as are used here, there don't seem to be any real chances taken. That said, the ballads allow David Draiman to deliver some powerhouse vocal performances, and they prove more interesting than the "same old songs but with computer sounds" shtick. While that's true, though, packing so many into a ten song LP lessens their impact somewhat. The overall result isn't so much an evolution as it is a uneven offering by a band unsure of exactly where they want to go.
EURINGER
Euringer
October 19, 2018 • UCR/Metropolis
Highlights Problematic • That's How Jimmy Gets Down • Do You Kiss Your Mama With That Mouth?
As the longtime voice of and creative force behind Mindless Self Indulgence, James Euringer has spent more than twenty years crafting outsider industrial punk/metal, and building a devoted following in the process. MSI hasn't released an album in five years, but Euringer has kept plenty busy with a variety of projects. His first official solo album bears some similarities to MSI, though the music on the whole is more expansive and diverse; there's also a host of guest contributors, from Serj Tankian's manically delivered poetry on If It Ain't You Today It'll Be You Tomorrow to Grimes' appearance on The Medicine Does Not Control Me. That said, so much of Euringer's style is so distinctive, it's hard not to hear this record as a spacier, weirder version of MSI. Also of note: not one but two gonzo covers, Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights and The Doobie Brothers' What a Fool Believes, both of which are whacked out fun.
THE STRUTS
Young & Dangerous
October 26, 2018 • Interscope
Highlights Body Talks • Bulletproof Baby • Somebody New
On their sophomore album, The Struts truly bring their modern day glam rock act into the 21st century, incorporating studio sheen and a few recent pop tropes into their sound. The thing's packed with swagger, and acts like it's a powder keg ready to blow. In fact, it's so convinced of its grandiosity and appeal that it's laughable; charisma is one thing, and having a few good tunes is another, but the thick coat of polish and glut of forgettable, trite songs remind me less of Queen and more of Adam Lambert. Thanks to a handful of inspired performances, Young & Dangerous narrowly escapes being a dangerously bad record.
Evolution
October 19, 2018 • Reprise
Highlights Are You Ready • A Reason to Fight • Already Gone
Somehow, someway, Disturbed have survived the nu-metal backlash and carved out a decent career while maintaining a rabid fan base; however, they hadn't truly been in the collective consciousness for years when their cover of Simon & Garfunkel's The Sound of Silence smashed in 2015. So, their seventh album is presented as the next big artistic step for the band, and was trumped up prior to release as the sound of Disturbed challenging themselves. What this really means is there are some electronics thrown into the mix, and a lot more ballads than usual. The differences are noticeable to be sure but, as many new ideas as are used here, there don't seem to be any real chances taken. That said, the ballads allow David Draiman to deliver some powerhouse vocal performances, and they prove more interesting than the "same old songs but with computer sounds" shtick. While that's true, though, packing so many into a ten song LP lessens their impact somewhat. The overall result isn't so much an evolution as it is a uneven offering by a band unsure of exactly where they want to go.
EURINGER
Euringer
October 19, 2018 • UCR/Metropolis
Highlights Problematic • That's How Jimmy Gets Down • Do You Kiss Your Mama With That Mouth?
As the longtime voice of and creative force behind Mindless Self Indulgence, James Euringer has spent more than twenty years crafting outsider industrial punk/metal, and building a devoted following in the process. MSI hasn't released an album in five years, but Euringer has kept plenty busy with a variety of projects. His first official solo album bears some similarities to MSI, though the music on the whole is more expansive and diverse; there's also a host of guest contributors, from Serj Tankian's manically delivered poetry on If It Ain't You Today It'll Be You Tomorrow to Grimes' appearance on The Medicine Does Not Control Me. That said, so much of Euringer's style is so distinctive, it's hard not to hear this record as a spacier, weirder version of MSI. Also of note: not one but two gonzo covers, Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights and The Doobie Brothers' What a Fool Believes, both of which are whacked out fun.
Young & Dangerous
October 26, 2018 • Interscope
Highlights Body Talks • Bulletproof Baby • Somebody New
On their sophomore album, The Struts truly bring their modern day glam rock act into the 21st century, incorporating studio sheen and a few recent pop tropes into their sound. The thing's packed with swagger, and acts like it's a powder keg ready to blow. In fact, it's so convinced of its grandiosity and appeal that it's laughable; charisma is one thing, and having a few good tunes is another, but the thick coat of polish and glut of forgettable, trite songs remind me less of Queen and more of Adam Lambert. Thanks to a handful of inspired performances, Young & Dangerous narrowly escapes being a dangerously bad record.
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