Like David

Item: It Started With Twelve
Author: Josh Spencer

It Started With Twelve

(2001)

Reviewed by Josh Spencer

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Label Bettie Rocket RecordsHM Magazine #92November/December 2001

alternative metal nu metal post-grunge post-hardcore

Let's be honest, there are more than enough "new metal" bands out there to satisfy the Adidas-wearing youth of America. Like David add nothing new to the musical landscape. With their second album, they continue to do a solid job playing meaty, authentic, moody metal with somewhat sad, tortured vocals. But they're just another branch in the tree that includes Deftones, Tool, Far, Will Haven, Staind, Nonpoint, etc, etc. Maybe a more life-giving branch lyrically, but musically just a branch. The prime justification for Like David's existence is as a Christian alternative for kids who can't or don't want to listen to bands that might stain their easily molded minds. So, really, the only question is "How do they stack up?"

Pretty well. The tones, musicianship, and vocals are all the real deal, especially if you're looking for something close to recent Deftones, and don't mind the requisite loss of subtleties that comes with a xerox. It Started... is not as distinctive as Embodyment's mind-blowing Narrow Scope... or Spoken's hook-fest Echoes..., but it could slide in as one of the top 3 discs made by Christians in this genre. You'll be proud to let it rumble from your car stereo.

The run-on rambling lyrics follow the genre's pattern of paradoxical humility and haughtiness, but in a Christian context. That is, the songs acknowledge the song writer's own struggle, but are also directed at someone he has problems with, whether it's a friend who's gotten too high and mighty ("your shoulder is cold / we just talked yesterday / when did this crowd form / do I need to check in at the door"), a friend who can't quite make the leap of faith, a girl who let her faith slip and lost out on the promises of God, or a Calvinist with a biting word for everyone. The first track fulfills Matt Johnson's "metal-should-bring-Armageddon" theory, while a couple others are straight scripture from Ecclesiastes (spoken with no music) and Psalms.

If you already have the aforementioned bands and albums on your shelf, It Started... is probably unnecessary. If you need an alternative, it's essential.