Give Us Barabbas, the latest album from The Blamed, takes its title from one of the darkest moments in human history -- the moment when men and women screamed for the release of a condemned murderer over that of Christ. As one might expect, this album is dark, the guitars are screeching, and the vocals are near a scream.
At first listen, the sound was intriguing, but after hearing a number of tracks it was apparent that the album was strangely uniform - chaotic, but uniform. Each song is practically indistinguishable from the previous. The often unintelligible lyrics are sporadically half-shouted/half-sung over the top of layers of guitar, bass and drums that would make any metal band proud. This combination gives the sound a feeling of mayhem that, frankly, leaves the listener confused instead of interested. It is as though the band has decided to move past its punk roots, but hasn't exactly found solid ground to stand on yet.
While it is obvious that each member of this band is more than proficient on their respective instruments, there just isn't an innovative spark to the album. There isn't anything to make you stand up and take notice. Perhaps the next album will take this band further in the direction they are headed, and bring forth something new and exciting, but unfortunately this album just isn't it.
2 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis June 2002Reviewed by Matt ModrichThe Blamed has changed a lot since their early Tooth and Nail releases "21" and "Frail." With Brian Gray as the only original member, The Blamed is now back on Tooth and Nail with their new sound and their new record "Give Us Barabbas." It's hard to describe "Give Us Barabbas" because it combines elements of hardcore, punk and emocore. There are also subtle allusions to Blenderhead's first album…Art for the Ears 2002Reviewed by Marco PovervestWell past Easter The Blamed comes up with Give Us Barabbas. More than a year ago I saw them live and the only impression that I got was that it was a lot of senseless noise with layers of screams. This recording gives me a different idea of the same band and this is also different from what I know from their punk rock days when they were one of the first bands on Tooth & Nail Records. Give Us…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by John WilsonThe Blamed's latest, Give Us Barabbas, is an exercise in controlled chaos. The general recipe includes darkly obscure, almost free-verse lyrics that Matt Switaj yells over a blend of grinding guitars and reckless drum pounding. There is a method to the Blamed's madness, but it's indistinguishable underneath Switaj's grating vocal attack. He's not singing, not screaming, but barking out rough…Similar sounding releases
2004The National AcrobatThe Complete Recordings
2001Canterbury EffectAn Exercise in Humility
1998Roadside MonumentI Am The Day Of Current Taste
2004Local HWhatever Happened to P.J. Soles?
2003Ambitious Career Woman...To Avoid a Lawsuit
2001The Icarus LineMono
