From
the getgo in Crazy Eyes, Richard Patrick makes it VERY clear that this will be
a heavy industrial rock record. His vocals are throat punishing, beats are
heavy on the synths and I am reminded of Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, and the
best material from Stabbing Westward. To be honest, I’ve enjoyed most Filter
albums, even the ones that have had lukewarm receptions, a reality due to maybe
a misplaced track or two at best, since I think Patrick has been ridiculously
consistent in pushing the Filter sound.
Will
this album change lives? No. But saying it’s not solid would be silly. At
almost 49, you’d think his voice would be shot, but instead he provides some of
the most ripping vocals to date.
Rundown:
Mother E begins the album with a march-worthy thump a thumping
song. It’s a statement more than an excellent track and sets the tone for what
you should expect. This is followed by Nothing
in my Hands, a synth heavy song with great variety and structure. I like
how the track builds and definitely is a solid classic Filter track with lots
of electronic flourishes and great whisper-to-scream vocals. Pride Flag then rips your head off and
is definitely one of my fav tracks on the album. It is like a bright version of
the droning robot metal of Static X with the wailing vocals of Richard Patrick.
Soaring riffs and some great chord progressions makes this one of the better
Filter tracks in a long time, heavy on the electronics and an example of what
he said about taking the guitars back a bit to let the electronics shine. City
of Blinding Riots then pumps in and I can only describe this as a dance music
to fight to. Honestly, I can easily see this song used for an MMA highlight
reel. After this you have Take me to
Heaven, a song that even though its material is very personal is very
accessible, has awesome guitars and a great chorus. Definitely a highlight
track. And this is followed by a song that sends chills through me, Welcome to the Suck. This track is
definitely one of the darkest songs by Filter. It sounds as if it came from
some Hollywood soundtrack as the lead character looks atop a huge robot that
has just devastated a city. This is as big as a song can get and if Guillermo
del Toro includes it in the sequel to Pacific Rim, I shall not be surprised. A
thumping bass beat dominates the first 1:08 of Head of Fire until the guitars scream in (solid though not stellar
track, though). Tremors is another
thumping electronica driven song that echoes NIN, with brighter notes and
ripping vocals. Kid Blue from the Short
Bus is another solid rocking song with loud guitars and louder beats. Your Bullets kind of follows the same
vibe of the prior track, good, but not great. Then comes Under the Tongue which is a kind of fun track that might have been
good if it went anywhere. Good to showcase the band live, but not much else so
consider it a 6 minute intro to the final song Can’t see (Head of Fire Pt. 2). Although a nice closer, I wish it
had more beef. It actually reminds me a bit of a band called Sunna. I actually
like Patrick’s gentler side when it floats on by so although the right call to
close, just short of the mark.
Track
listing:
1.
Mother E
2.
Nothing in my Hands
3.
Pride Flag
4.
City of Blinding Riots
5.
Take me to Heaven
6.
Welcome to the Suck
7.
Head of Fire
8.
Tremors
9.
Kid Blue from the Short Bus
10.
Your bullets
11.
Under the Tongue
12.
Can’t see (Head of Fire Pt. 2)
TOP Tracks: Nothing in my hands, Pride Flag, Take me To
Heaven, Welcome to the Suck
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