Album Review: "13 Ways To Bleed Onstage" (2000) - Date Unknown
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Cold
13 Ways to Bleed On Stage
Available from: Flip Records
Our rating: ** 1/2 (of 5 stars)
The second offering by Cold, 13 Ways to Bleed On Stage is a 13-track clunker. Cold has a few tricks up its sleeves with its hard-edged style, but it is not enough to make the band a favorite.
Cold definitely has some power backing it up as it rides under Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst's wing. The band is one of the few to be brought out onto Durst's Flip Records label.
However, the fact that both of the bands are from Jacksonville, Fla., probably did not hurt Cold's chance of getting on with the label.
Being on Flip Records, it should not surprise one that Cold has more than its fair share of crunchy guitar riffs. Backing that up are solid bass and strong drums, which create a solid backdrop for some powerful vocals.
While the band does have some crazy effects and powerful guitars, the majority of the music does not break borders with new ideas or styles. However, the vocals are a heavy force behind the music.
The full voice of frontman Scooter flips between hard-hitting jabs and smoother, stretched-out verses. When combined with a sort of electric tinge, the vocals really pull the semi-generic music together.
Unfortunately, good vocals are not enough to make 13 Ways a must-have album. However, that does not mean the album is void of any good tunes.
"She Said" opens with some soft piano before unleashing the rest of the instruments. The song builds to a solid chorus with some drawn-out, gritty-yet-smooth vocals. Closing as it began, with just the piano, adds a good touch.
Cold does well with "It's All Good," the band's rock ballad for the album. The tune has a simple guitar riff but comes off quite well when highlighted by the vocals.
13 Ways really does not have much new to offer to the music world. While the vocals are strong, the rest of the music is just not up to the same level. Without a solid backing, Cold melts like a snowman in July.
�Chris Stelmak