Think it's time for the epic countdown to start: 2 days until Christmas : ) Final review before Chr...
Think it's time for the epic countdown to start: 2 days until Christmas : ) Final review before Christmas now posted! xx
Member since:01.08.2005
Reviews:132
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Alter Bridge's first album, the phenomenal 'One Day Remains', will go down in history as one of my favourite debut albums. The extremely bold mix of beautiful, heart felt lyrics and fabulous, hard hitting drum beats with screeching guitar riffs really struck a chord with me (ha ha, pun intended!) and it seems that I will never tire of the four pieces fantastic first album as a group.
In case you didn't know, Alter Bridge are a concoction of three members from American rock band Creed, including the fantastic guitarist Mark Tremonti, banging bassist Brian Marshall and the hardcore Scott Phillips, a guy who drums a whole new heart beat into each and every song. Then there was the very talented Myles Kennedy on vocals, who found moderate success with a little known band called the Mayfield Four. His voice on many tracks send chills up your spine; it can range from powerfully explosive to soft and melodic in a matter of seconds and provides the perfect, edgy sound to any alternative rock song.
Their debut album hit stands in the late summer of 2004, receiving very mixed reviews from critics who either regarded it as one of the most amazing rock albums of the new Millennium or a bad rip off of Metallica and Led Zep. However, fans took a completely different approach and found 'One Day Remains' to be uplifting in places but drastically melancholic - but with all important meaning and a way to find peace in grief - in others, offering a new twist to what some may describe as a generic genre of music.
Roll onto 2007, and the band had been threatening to release a new album since 2006. Yet, that year had been a rocky one for the four piece after getting out of their contract with their label (Wind Up Records) after what was believed to be several spats as to whether the three Creed members should reunite with former vocalist, Scott Stapp. Thankfully - at least in my mind - they declined, taking the rights to all of their music both from live shows and studio demos with them, hopefully finding their permanent home at Universal Republic Records.
Then, on Monday October 8th 2007, a miracle happened; the saviours of modern alternative/metal rock finally released their follow up record to 'One Day Remains' entitled 'Blackbird'.
But would their new album live up to my obviously very high expectations?
On the version I got, there are 14 tracks and lasts approximately one hour, which is quite good in my view, considering that some albums I own barely last 40 minutes!
The track listing on the album 'Blackbird' is as followed:
1) Ties That Bind 2) Come To Life 3) Brand New Start 4) Buried Alive 5) Coming Home 6) Before Tomorrow Comes 7) Rise Today 8) Blackbird 9) One By One 10) Watch Over You 11) Break Me Down 12) White Knuckles 13) Wayward One 14) We Don't Care At All (UK only release)
1: Ties That Bind (3.19 minutes) The album kicks off with the hard hitting 'Ties That Bind' which is a stunning opener. Its onslaught of metal guitar riffs from start to finish marks an instant change from the debut album; it's a lot heavier, a sense that you get even on the first listen, but it's definitely not a bad thing. The band decided
on this track to be the second single from the album in the UK which I think was a smart move as its chorus is very catchy but not in a pop tart kind of way. I think it's mainly Myles' vocals that make it so addictive with its rich, earthy tones and great harmonious power. The song is mainly expressing the willingness to be free and to break away from the shackles that the singer has found themselves in. Marks out of 10: 9.5 - an opener doesn't get much better than this! Without a doubt one of the most memorable tracks on the album.
2: Come To Life (3.51 minutes) The second track re-enforces the bands almost radical change, again offering a heavier tune than many on the previous album. The lyrics to 'Come To Life' are very uplifting, a direction the band were keen to explore during the process of their follow up. Although the darker overtones are present, it is blissfully concealed with the pounding of drum kits and skilled guitar work with the words indicating that if you want something badly enough in life, you have to over come all difficulties to get what you want. Marks out of 10: 9 - another stand out track but perhaps more for the lyrics than the tune this time.
3: Brand New Start (4.54 minutes) Taking the listener down a slightly slower paced path now, 'Brand New Start' focuses almost entirely on the vocal ability of Mr. Kennedy as well as the gentler side of the band. The idea of freedom through the inspiration of love is a beautiful topic that has been explored very well by the group and one that comes across extremely well in terms of visualisation through the lyrics. Marks out of 10: 9.5 - with another strong but catchy chorus, this one just won't leave your mind but never out stays its welcome.
4: Buried Alive (4.35 minutes) Back to the head banging side of the band, 'Buried Alive' boasts some of Marks most amazing guitar playing on the album, matching up to some of the best in the industry. The control on both the softer and louder parts of this song is amazing. However, I don't think it's perhaps the best song on the album purely because I think the lyrics might not tell the best story and it might just be the angstier version of 'Brand New Start'. None the less, it's still brilliant and not one to really discredit at all. Marks out of 10: 8 - hey, I did say that you can't discredit it!
5: Coming Home (4.19 minutes) The fifth track on the album 'Coming Home' is definitely one of the more aggressive on the album, suiting Myles' vocal abilities down to an absolute tee. The idea of going home might actually seem like a person who knows that death is approaching but can't do anything about it so instead decides to try and see the world truthfully. Yet, I don't think that the lyrics came across as saying that quite as clearly unless you read them separately. Marks out of 10: 8 - I really can't bare for the marks to drop below 8; despite the flaw of perhaps not being able to interpret the meaning as fluently as with some of the other tracks, it is still brilliant all of the same!
6: Before Tomorrow Comes (4.06 minutes) Before you get any flashbacks to the 1980's, 'Before Tomorrow Comes' is entirely different to the track of a similar name by the Eurythmics. This track reminds me slightly of System of a Down as it's very fast paced and Myles vocals are a screeching ambush of madness! Having said that, I really like it as it once again shows how diverse Alter Bridge are but still within the setting of a rock and roll context. It definitely portrays a more positive message though, about how as a person you have to change yourself for the better and make good decisions. Marks out of 10: 8.5 - a bit like organised chaos but in the best way possible!
7: Rise Today (4.21 minutes) This track was the first single from the album which I think was partly good and partly bad. On the one hand, it was a good idea as it is the track that I think sounds the most similar to many off their debut album, 'One Day Remains'. This would make them instantly recognisable to casual listeners and fans. However, I don't think it is the best reflection of the new direction they are taking, it terms of the tunes being more inspired by metal as opposed to alternative rock. Although I was indifferent to this one to start with, it really has grown on me and I find it to be a song that is constantly in my head at the minute! Marks out of 10: 8.5 - used for the WWE Unforgiven pay per view in 2007 which is very fitting as it's mainly about standing on your own two feet and feeling more optimistic, despite some of the hardships that are occurring in the world.
8: Blackbird (7.58 minutes) Now, just by looking at the length of the song, many of you may be thinking that it's simply too long for a rock track or that it is trying to openly challenge some of the worlds earlier but brilliant longer tracks, including the classic crowd pleaser, The Beatles' 'Hey Jude' and Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. However, I would like to assure you that the song 'Blackbird' is sung without pretence; just sheer charisma and power from the band. The eighth track is truly amazing and I can honestly understand why it is the title track. Myles said in an interview that it was written about one of his close friends who had passed away and I think that using the Blackbird as a metaphor for moving on and flying on to greater things to be beautiful, bringing a different light on the subject of death. Marks out of 10: 10 - from start to finish, it is simple fantastic. Modern rock music simply can't get any better than this.
9: One By One (4.20 minutes) After such a purely mesmerizing and inspirational track, the next was surely going to be a hard act to follow. Yet, 'One By One' I think held its own fairly well, holding very vivid imagery about the plight of those sent of to war and how death is inevitable. Although morbid, the lyrics are once again sublime and I kind of like a band who get on their political soapbox every once in a while! Marks out of 10: 8 - great but perhaps not the most memorable track from the album.
10: Watch Over You (4.19 minutes) Reverting back to their much milder side, 'Watch Over You' at first may seem like an updated version of the Cars' 'Drive' or their seventh track off 'One Day Remains', 'In Loving Memory'. However, on a second or third listen, whilst it may still seem to be those original preconceptions, as a listener, you feel that it is a more mature effort at a ballad by the lads. Although 'In Loving Memory' was written about Marks late Mother, 'Watch Over You' is mourning the loss of love, or the fact that the person is giving absolutely everything to a relationship but is unfortunately receiving very little in return. Marks out of 10: 9 - incredibly tragic but very well written, sung and played.
11: Break Me Down (3.56 minutes) Again going back to the theme of praying for freedom, 'Break Me Down' heads back to a heavier side of the group. Although the lyrics may be a little bit too similar to some of the earlier tracks on the album that deals with the theme of freedom, such as 'Come To Life' and 'Buried Alive', the melody here really saves it from becoming too much the same, the result being another good album track. Marks out of 10: 8 - I can't see this being a single but definitely a good one for the album.
12: White Knuckles (4.24 minutes) As the album heads towards the end, it was hardly surprising that the listener was going to be hearing a slightly more moody number. 'White Knuckles' holds much darker lyrics than on the rest of the album and at the darkest parts, the only accompaniment to Myles' cynical vocals motivated by the lyrics of the same nature, is a lighter guitar riff and a little bass. I like the change from full on rock to the concentration purely on the lyrics, which shows that the band are keen to get across their messages through their music. Marks out of 10: 8.5 - different but may leave you feeling a little deflated.
13: Wayward One (4.47 minutes) The last official track to the album reminds me a lot of the last one on their debut album, 'The End is Here'. That made me a little disappointed; after an album full of new and exciting tales and tunes, I was hoping for a little more from the last track. Yet, after more than one or two listens, you realise that whilst the melody is perhaps very similar, the lyrics are more like an overview of the rest of the album, in terms of looking for freedom from oppression and optimism in even the darkest of hours. Marks out of 10: 8 - it really grows on you after a while and whilst it might not be the most ground breaking of all of the tracks, it rounds off the album in a good way.
14: We Don't Care At All (UK only release, 3.42 minutes) As a UK extra, I was pleasantly surprised with how unique it actually was. Tune wise, it is perhaps the track most driven by the drums as opposed to either a mixture of that and the guitars of just the latter instrument. Myles' vocals change quite drastically to be more of a rant rather than his usual singing voice but all the same, I like it and the album ends a lot more positively after this one rather than 'Wayward One'. Marks out of 10: 8.5 - I feel sorry for people who don't get this track as it is one of the more unusual ones on the album.
Artwork and packaging: In terms of the presentation of the second Alter Bridge album, I have to say that it is another way to signify a change in the bands direction. Whilst their debuts artwork, like that presented on 'Blackbird', it was mainly comprised of dark green colours with slight yellow hues. Yet, here, the designers have opted for black and white as the dominating colours with hints of blue on the front and back covers.
Once opening up the sleeve, I was delighted to see that the lyrics have been included in their entirety and I love the fact that the bands sentiments towards the title song is strong enough to offer the lyrics of that particular track an entire sheet of the fold out booklet.
Red is used less sparingly than on the covers, acting as the backdrop to the lyrics. I have to say that whilst the writing is less gothic than on the previous albums artwork, this time, it is the pictures that reflect this a little more. The sleeve boasts a picture of a blackbird which obviously emphasises the pride of the song and album in general.
I have to say that I do love the front cover design; the blackbird breaking away from the white background to me shows how dominating the topic of freedom is to the band and how much this issue crops up in many of the songs on the album.
Price and availability: Whilst I had been told that this album was difficult to get hold of shortly after its release several months ago, the following websites do give you the chance to purchase this spectacular album: Play.com - £8.95 (Free postage and packaging) Hmv.co.uk - £6.99 (Free P&P) Amazon.co.uk - £6.99 (you may have to pay for P&P here) DVD.co.uk - £8.89 (Free P&P)
Overall: Overall, I do honestly believe that Alter Bridge are one of the best but unfortunately one of the most unappreciated and unknown modern rock bands around today. This album has done nothing but solidify my faith in them and despite the fact that some of the tracks may seem a bit too similar for some peoples liking, I enjoyed all of them on 'Blackbird'. It's definitely one for your collection if like me, you appreciated fantastic, contemporary bands who might not be mainstream but who are without a doubt worth a place on the grand stage of every music festival in the world. With Myles taking more a lead role within the band in terms of song writing, I think they utilized on his talents perfectly and I sincerely wish that on the next album we hear more lyrics by the talented vocalised.
In the mean time, I only hope that people will 'Come To Life' and realise what a fantastic band Alter Bridge are!
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