Spoken

Item: Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell
Author: David Bixler

Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell

(2000)

Reviewed by David Bixler

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Label Metro VoxHM Magazine #88March/April 2001

alternative metal hardcore nu metal rapcore

With 'rapcore' being the 'new thing,' the plethora of sound-alikes has become tiring. This is how I felt about the first couple of Spoken CDs, which bore an uncanny resemblance to Rage Against the Machine, both in the vocal attack and general sonic, as well as the riffing. Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell is a very pleasant surprise, as it demonstrates a remarkable change in direction. There are still 'rapcore' elements prevalent throughout, but Spoken reaches out and incorporates more of both a hardcore and rock and roll feel to their sound.

Some of my favorite songs on this disc are the slower ones, which build up to driving choruses and chunky riffs. The all-out rockers are great too, with lots of volume, style, and singing changes all in the same song. The usage of harmony throughout is a huge plus, giving the band a more organic sound. I still find the vocal similarities (at times anyway) to Rage interesting, but they seem to mesh much better on this record than on albums past. Lyrically, the album could be listed in most 'praise and worship' sections, as their words are heart-felt and emotive.

After a couple of disappointments, it seems like Spoken have finally found their niche and developed their own sound, and it works very well. Hopefully, Spoken will continue to move in this direction, as their future looks bright if they do.