Each time a style of music gains popularity on the backs of its forefathers, a plethora of similar bands flood the market. Trendsetters like Rage Against the Machine, 311, Korn, and EDL (on a smaller scale) paved the way for hugely successful artists like Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and P.O.D. Of course, they also paved the way for the wave of wannabes that invariably follows. Does Pillar, a band that defiantly belongs in the increasingly popular rap/rock genre, have a chance to grab a piece of the spotlight in a soon to be overcrowded market?
Pillar is a new band recently signed to Flicker Records, a label started by Audio Adrenaline. They have released two indie CD's, but Above is the first label release. Above will be released nationally 9/26/00. I am reviewing based on a pre-market sampler with a selected 6 tracks.
The sampler opens up with "Live for Him" a driving tune that aptly balances melodic and hard vocals throughout. "Above" is also a good track, with strong vocals and nice guitar work. This is by far the best track (boring musical bridge aside) and the rest of the disc has trouble living up to it. "Original Superman" has a reggae feel to it and some good rap/rock vocals, but it never reaches its potential. It uses the very tired superman theme to state its message:
He'll be your hero in the end, he is that one true super friend
Kryptonite can't slow him down, nothing can at all
"You Should Know" is forgettable and "Something Real" is actually a very bad track. This little sampler closes with "Galactic Groove." Call it retro, call it "old school" or whatever, but leave it in the studio. The guest rap from Knowdaverbs is well done and there is a great Decepticons reference, but the song just isn't good.
I know that you are thinking, "jeez, he hated this..." Well actually, no. "Above" is not a bad album (at least the 6 tracks I have), but it's not a great one either. The vocals are crisp and clear, the music is strong and the production is tight. There just aren't ANY really good songs. The lyrics are nothing special and the overall package (music, vocals, and lyrics) has been done before. There is a lot of potential here, though. If you are already a fan of this genre then you should enjoy this album, if you want to find out if you are, buy P.O.D.
Having said all that, I am looking forward to future outings from Pillar, just please don't make me look back at this one.
2 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #87Reviewed by Jason DoddSound on lease from 311, sterilized, safe-street-vernacular-injected -- Pillar come stamped, signed, sealed, and ordained as youth-group-ready. "Original Superman" is perhaps the best 'sum-up' example of the vibe running through Above, displaying all of their strengths and weaknesses in one song. Strengths: the wonderful character DJ Double K adds to generic intro-riffing, and the band's…ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Shawna T.One of the most energetic concerts I went to this year was Pillar playing at a local club. I met their lead singer, Rob Beckley, before the show, and found him to be a quiet and reserved individual. Of course I was astonished when their set started and Beckley was jumping around all over the stage. This was before they released Above, and naturally I became curious to hear how they would sound on…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Kerry MaffeoEven before being signed by Audio Adrenaline's new record label, Flicker Records, this edgy rock/rap/funk group from Hays, Kansas was hooking fans and sparking the notice of the music industry. And for good reason. Since the release of their first indie album, Metamorphosis in June of last year, and the subsequent release of their sophomore indie album, Original Superman, Pillar has been getting…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by the ProjectThis is a cool and well developed disk by Pillar. It is a really different kind of rap-core that sounds like Pax 217 only harder like 311 (recent). The raps are very clever but kinda repetitive. I am into this pretty much because of the DJ's scratching style. The singer also sounds a bit like Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit in a few songs but other than that it's 311 from there. I didn't really know…Similar sounding releases
2000Thousand Foot KrutchSet It Off
2004CrusheadCan You Handle This?
200238th ParallelTurn the Tides
2004Breaking BenjaminWe Are Not Alone
2001.rod laverNo Toque El Toro
2001DiscipleBy God
