Full Scale comes out of Australia with a sound that we've all heard before. The first thing I thought when I listened to this is, "wow, this is derivative." They can't seem to settle on a style, or even what to write about. Full Scale can't decide whether they want to be drunken frat boys or political activists, and they seem to fail at both. Having a political conscience is a good thing, but it would help if the songs were any good. They go from political rants in "Sickness" and "Manifesto," to stoner anthems like "Here Comes the Weekend" and "Download the Destruction" (a song about sitting at the computer).
During the course of this album, Full Scale manage to rip off just about everyone they can think of. "Party Political" sounds like something Static-X threw away. "Heimlicht Manouvre, The" sounds like something Sevendust discarded. "Manifesto" sounds like a System of a Down reject. So maybe the problem is that Full Scale is actually going through master tapes and taking things more experienced bands didn't use. We may never know.
Some of the lyrics are downright silly. "Party Political" has a chorus that shows that yes, they have read their Dr. Seuss and can rhyme. "This party is political activity/Back off when you're showing negativity/Look to all your friends for some clarity/Cause this party is political activity". Lyrics such as that and "If this was Texas then I'd have a gun and he'd get some" and "Here I come now with a party on my shoulders" make this album hard to listen to at points.
The best song on the album is "Smiles" and the reason it is good is because it doesn't really try to do too much. It's a simple, straight-ahead song with a couple of solid riffs and a catchy chorus. It manages to use a little political talk and some good time fun in the same song, and do so in a way that isn't too bad.
In their other songs however, they try to do things they just aren't good at. Attempts to harmonize fail miserably in "Feel it" and "Heimlicht Manouvre, The". They then unsuccessfully try to attempt a ballad ("Sickness").
It seems like Full Scale wanted to come right onto the scene being the band that does everything. What they need to do is build their sound first, then experiment. Songs like "Smiles" show they actually have some talent, but they're unfocused. Maybe by the time they release the follow-up to this, they will have more original ideas, have developed their own style, and improved their lyrics. For now, you might as well listen to Sevendust, Static-X, or System of a Down instead of these guys.
1.5/4
Similar sounding releases
1998KornFollow the Leader
2002PillarFireproof
1997IncubusS.C.I.E.N.C.E.
2003Dream TheaterTrain of Thought
2004Breaking BenjaminWe Are Not Alone
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