ALBUM
REVIEWS
E-lux
By: Dave Lloyd
Going to take a few liberties here, and review this little beauty. I've been
lucky enough to have an advance tape of the album for a few months now, and
with it's release imminent, it should be ok to do this review. And it also
means that finally, I should soon be able to get a copy of a CD as my tape
will probably be knackered soon. A few of the titles may be slightly different
in the final release. I think some of the brief instrumental titles will get
merged. Anyway, the background.
If you like Korn and have everything
they've done, then you have a copy of Jon singing This Town with a band called
Human Waste Project. If not, then it's on the bootleg CD's and you should
search for it because it's incredible. That's how I found out about the band.
Much more, ie, history, I'm not so sure on. What I am sure about though, is
that they have the potential to be a great band. It was obvious from that
recording, the demo backed it up further, and this is the real proof.
HWP are a band who share some commonalities
with Korn etc, in the power, but have more subtle moments. So if you like
Korn, there's a good chance you will like this, but if you don't then don't
assume that you won't like this. You may well do. It's different. Don't let
any prejudices rule reasoning. At times they remind me of Janes Addiction,
other times they are crushing. Kerrang! described them as having elements
of Rage Against the Machine and early Nirvana. They've supported Suicidal
Tendencies. So there in itself is a pretty diverse mix, meaning that really,
you've a good chance of liking this, if you give it the opportunity. They
manage to mix it all up, and still stay interesting and not disappearing up
their own assholes.
And Aimee's vocals shine throughout it
all. She sounds great on everything, whether it's a delicate trip, or the
aggresive fuck you of Powerstrip. A vocal for all occasions although I guess
some people will say they don't like them. Still, there seems to be a real
passion in the voice, none of the bland bollocks you sometimes get.
So, a quick run through this thing
Graverobbers from Mars
- Aside from one of the best song titles of the year, this is basically an
intro which brings to mind Janes Addiction circa the Ritual album. Eastern
tinged, it just sets things up.
Disease - That Aimee means it in her vocals becomes apparent pretty
quickly into this track. I'm just a girl, without apologies. You soon learn
that she mixes it. Great song.
Drugstore - sizeable riff, that reminds me of some of the moments from
the Lard albums, ie, simple, but damn effective. Difference here is that it
breaks up and go into other stuff, like most songs do, unlike Lard who pound
it through to the end.
Exit wound - just a cool song. Great vocal, sexy, you can here a clip
here and read the lyrics to it here .
Catfish - this is just a brief instrumental interlude sort of thing.
Not much you can say about those sort of things. Some work, ie Blind, Tool's
latest, others don't. This does.
Shine is more evidence of the mixing up of vocals. Great chorus, good song.
Hold Me Down - a really familiar sounding bass riff opens this one
up, I think the Wildhearts Naievety Play is the one I'm thinking of. Heavy
start and main riff, before a lighter effective chorus.
Electra - Slower, moody. Evocative is the word people use for this
stuff I believe. This is where the band show they can change styles effectively.
Really dreamy sounding vocal before the song builds to the finish. Takes you
by surprise after whats gone before. Also takes a few listens to accustom
yourself to the change, but worth it. One of the slow builders.
Drowned - continues where Electra left off in terms of mood. Reminds
me again of Janes Addiction at times with an eastern feel to it. Soon picks
up the pace.
Interlude - another slower song. 2 out of 3. That may be the only real
flaw with the album, in that those after louder stuff will maybe skip this
middle section, saying that the album looses steam or stuff like that. However,
if you persevere, then you get your reward, and if you skip, then it's your
loss.
Powerstrip - many will jump to this. One of the absolute highlights
of the album. Heavy intro, bouncy, pissed off kinda lyric. One of the best
choruses on the album, this should be outstanding live.
Spokejam - a little jam. See Catfish comment.
Spain - a familiar intro. This feels like maybe one of the more commercial
songs on the album, though I have trouble picturing it being played on UK
radio. Still, shows another side to the band.
Slide - powerful, catchy, fast and in possession of another great chorus.
Shows that the wah effect can be used and be effective, even if Hammett from
Metallica overuses.
Dog - track from the demo, slightly reworked. When I first heard it
on the demo, I was thinking Punkish sort of stuff. Now I think it's got quite
a bit more to it than that. It is a great song whichever way you look at it.
Get With It - finishes the album with a great, heavy
but simple riff, and a laugh at the end that tells you that whichever way
you look at the album, from the dreamier moments to the intense ones, the
band still had fun, which is what it's all about.
So that's it. As you can tell, I'm shite at describing how songs sound. Songs
weren't meant to be described, they were meant to be listened to, and that's
what you should do here.
Sure, I have criticsisms. She Gives off
the demo should've been done, as should This Town, the track that started
it for me. Fortunately, the band have apparently been in the studio, re-recorded
This Town and it will be released immediately/summertime. The sort of song
which would sound absolutely wonderful on the radio, and if you've heard it,
then you know it has no chance. Still, they're re-doing it, and more people
should be able to get hold of it which is the important thing. In order to
spread the HWP. Watch out for this band. And remember, the UK's a great place
to tour :)