Track Listing
1. Sand 2. Welcome to the fold 3. Captain bligh 4. It's gonna kill me 5. The best things 6. Take a picture 7. Skinny 8. I will lead you 9. Cancer 10. I'n not the only one 11. Miss blue Year: 1999 Label: Warner - Official Site |
Filter - 'Title of record' - By M. Freeman
Filter frontman Richard Patrick has long been in the music scene, but usually more associated with an industrial tag. The vocalist was formerly a guitarist with Trent Reznor's Nine Inch Nails, and once the two parted company he formed Filter, who originally boasted an industrial sound. This album moves away from the sound of the first album (Short Bus) and while some fans may prefer the more abrasive debut album, this is definitely a worthy follow-up. The short synth-driven instrumental 'Sand' serves only as an introduction to one of the best tracks the album has to offer, 'Welcome To The Fold' is eight minutes of purely infectious genius. With vocals ranging from the cleanest singing, to lengthy screams from Patrick, the contageous guitaring pumping along with it at just the right pace. 'Captain Bligh' has never really captured much of my interest, other than the experimental lyrical content, the track has little to offer in my opinion, the vocals are boring and might as well be completely monotone, because that's the vibe that is given off. 'It's Gonna Kill Me' is an improvement, the lyrics have profound strength, albeit in the extreme, with them focusing on a girl who is planning to kill the vocalist. The singing is genuinely catchy and they fit competently with the smooth music which accompanies it. The fifth out-take from the album called 'The Best Things' starts promisingly, and to be fair, features a few good elements throughout the track, but one can't help but feel it could have been so much more. This is the most industrial orientated piece thus far, and that part, with it's wall to wall synthesiser accomplished beats, works really well. The main flaw is that the guitaring comes into play on and off and just feels like a murmur which needn't have been so dull. If you like acoustic, melodic pop, then the hit single 'Take A Picture' is probably for you, but for me, it is merely proof that music that sells by the bucket load is more often than not better off locked away and passed out of existence. This track is dull, boring, slow and dreary pap, and for all those people who spent whatever extortionate price it is for singles these days on this; there is no hope! 'Skinny' is a track which proves Richard Patrick's worth as a powerful lyricist, however, he still has a fair way to go to match his former employer (Reznor), of course, that point is up for debate. There is something about this track that makes is pass the test of whether or not it is actually good or not, and I'll give it some credit, it's a nice track, slow again, but not quite as drab as 'Take A Picture'. Things suddenly look up once 'I Will Lead You' fires up, possibly the heaviest offering, that said, this album is not what could be classed as a heavy album. This track just has most of the right components to give the album some much needed adrenaline. With good vocals, excellent drumming rhythms and just as good quality guitar cuts, the album is given a new lease of life with this number. For a slow track, 'Cancer' opens nicely, the whirling synthesisers give it an all round good feel and even the chorus which has an experimental feel beaming from it that is proof that Filter don't have to do fast and catchy riffs to make good music. Although quite predictable, the speeding up near the end, with heavier sounds included, makes for an impressive end to the track. Tense, speedy music goes back down the pan when 'I'm Not The Only One' begins, it's a brooding track and one which I can only forsee being remotely captivating when wanting some thought provoking. There's not a lot that can be said of this piece, so I won't go on, the skip button might come in handy... What ever possessed the band to close the album with three slow tracks on the bounce is beyond me, sure, they're alright when taken at face value, but it's beginning to get a little tedious now, and they're less than awe-inspiring I'm afraid to say. In short, this is a disappointing way to end an album if ever I heard one. 'Title Of Record' is by no means awful, but neither is it great, there are far too many ups and downs for this album to be overly praised. The album earnt Filter mainstream attention and deservedly so, with tracks such as 'Welcome To The Fold' and 'I Will Lead You' causing widespread notice of the band worldwide. There are good tracks, mediocre tracks, and truly awful tracks, without doubt it will be interesting to see if Filter find an accomplished sound with their next effort. Metal Obsessive Grade: 65% |