With the state that the record industry is in, combined with the presence of the Internet, there is no better time to be an indie artist. Sites like MP3.com provide these artists with a medium for getting their music to the masses, in hopes that sampling will get some of these music fans to latch on to particular bands. One such band is KLOVR, a synthcore outfit out of Nebraska.
Unfortunately, from the sound of this CD, the band may never get too much past the MP3 revolution. Citing influences such as Korn and Nine Inch Nails, I have to say that I didn't hear too much of either band on this CD. What I do hear is some pretty standard, goth-based music featuring heavy bass, driving guitars, and layers of synth. Vocally, Shawna Stratton sounds a bit like Grace Slick at times. Not a bad voice, but it doesn't always work with this style of music. Other influences listed in their press material include German alt-rockers Guano Apes and Sweden's hard rocking Drain S.T.H.
Lyrically, there is not much here aside from typical CCM fare, a bit trite and predictable. The first song, "Key" discusses our need for God in our hearts with the lyrics "Open your mind, Free your soul, Be your true self, To Him let's go." The theme carries over to the second song, "Hide," which is a prayer offered up to God acknowledging His holiness. Another song, "Filth," talks about being lost in sin, while "Dysfunktion" lashes out at America for its moral anemia. At times it seems as though the songwriter is trying much too hard to find words that rhyme in order to make the songs work. And they don't.
This is not a terrible album. But on the other hand there is nothing new here. Same old same old.
2 tocks
