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I could go into everything that's
wrong with music today, but we don't have room for that here,
and I'm sure you don't have the patience to read that kind
of a rant. So, let's just review this eponymous 5 track CD
and I have the feeling my point will be made.
Despite some catchy solos, this
disc is lacking in substance. I would imagine that every big
label has been actively seeking "the next Rage Against the
Machine" for a few years. These are generally the only labels
who send us these cookie cutter albums. Take 2 parts dramatic
power chords, add a cup of beefed up bass for flavor, toss
in 1 part competent drummer and let simmer, let stand for
30 minutes to an hour with a rapping (assumably) white guy
who likes sing song choruses. So, here
we are with more of the same--and
these sad, sad bands will find themselves relegated to back
pocketed hell when the smoke clears.
One thing Rage Against the Machine
(who are on the Sony label, by the way, as long as we're talking
about Machines) has that most of these copycat bands lack
is thoughtful lyrics. Love them or hate them, Rage doesn't
throw out stupid jokes and foul one liners at every chorus.
That's more of a Limp Bizkit trait and in that we find the
next element of The Sound of Urchin. Take the second track,
"Cherry Mountain (Herdin' The Sheep)", a pointless story telling
that has a high point of a chorus that repeats the line "Herdin'
The Sheep/Herdin' The Sheep/Herdin' The Sheep". The shitty
soulless rap that surrounds the chorus is trite and somehow
reminds me of New Kids on the Block. It all seems that contrived.
The unfortunately titled, "Fearless
Vampire Killers", starts out somewhat promising, but sounds
like Cheap Trick covering Meatloaf. The cheesy added sound
effects are week and I can only guess that the producer thought
that having a climax featuring a piano would add depth to
the shallowness of this album.
"Space Station on the 4,5 &
6" is the perfect ending to this album. A pointless song that
shows it's obvious influences (rip-offs?) with every line.
It even goes into some rant about how Aerosmith works in an
office during the day and the punchline? "They ain't on a
Permanent Vacation". I think the lyricist of The Sound of
Urchin would be better off writing greeting cards than music.
The rest of the band should find someone with depth so that
they may be able to have a future in music. Just a thought.
-Tyler Jacobson
Track Listing:
- Mr Hanalei
- Cherry Mountain (Herdin' the
Sheep)
- Quiz Show Spy
- Fearless Vampire Killers
- Space Station on the 4, 5
& 6
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The
Sound of Urchin
