The debut release by this creative twosome is an original approach to heavy pop. I'd cite Balance of Power era Undercover as an influence here, as the vocals of Dann Gunn are very passionate. The bass throbs and drives most of the tunes. Fans of Euro-alternative pop (like Mad At The World), as well as some classic metal fans both can find something to like here -- in every song! It's an odd blend of styles that works fairly well.
To break it down would be over simplified, but take some standard 80's metal rhythms, play them with grunge sounds tuned in, and sing atop it like a duet between Sim Wilson and David Bowie.
After the first couple of listens, I didn't care if I ever heard it again, but repeated listenings have made me look harder at the energy and emotion of these songs. The weakness of the album would be the somewhat tiring range the rhythm section stays in through almost every song. In other words, this band sounds best, perhaps when you pull one song out and play it against the backdrop of other artists' songs (like the Demo-Lition II album). One song to highlight here is the brooding hooks in "I Catch My Breath/ I Let It Go," where Mr. Gunn's vocals dance a little bit atop the music in a relaxed mode.
As with most brooding musicians, it's too minor influenced to be instantly grabbing, but there's something for those modern rock fans who go ga ga over Undercover.
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse April 1995Reviewed by Michael KleinWith the opening chord, these guys make it clear where they are coming from. Actually, clear is not the right word at all--with these guys the guitar distortion dial is set to 11, (my apologies to Spinal Tap). Just when my expectations were set up for barely understood vocals that are more growled than sung, I was pleasantly surprised. The vocals are not only mixed so that they are "in front" of…
