Stavesacre

Item: Stavesacre
Author: Dan Singleton

(2002)

Reviewed by Dan Singleton

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Label Nitro RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth2002

alternative metal hard rock post-hardcore

Stavesacre has finally provided fans with the pronunciation of its name. This album is technically called "stavz'aker" with hard A's, but for simplicity's sake, I'll refer to it as their self-titled album.

This release is a good representative sample of the band's work. It offers some solid heavy work, some songs reminiscent of their Toolish Absolutes, some more melodic, accessible tunes and even one attempt at a slower, softer sound.

Let me first comment on the more melodic tunes. I'm normally disappointed when a band with chops takes this route, but Stavesacre pulls it off. Their brand of pop (and I'm hesitant to even call it that) still rocks. "If Not Now" could easily be a Foo Fighters song, although Mark Salomon's vocals are worlds apart from Dave Grohl's. In fact, I'd say this about "Island" and a few other tracks on this self-titled album.

The lead track, "Witch Trial," is Stavesacre's best song since "At the Moment." Slow and heavy, building up to an angry chorus:

We're burning.
Burning so patiently.
Get out while you can. This house is coming down.
There will be nothing left.

Hearing it live was the deciding factor in my buying this album. "The Sad Parade" is another hard-rocker. The vocals in the chorus have a Tears-for-Fears feel amongst all of the heavy instruments. "Why Good People Suffer" is a great odd-time-signature piece with a message that sticks with the listener:

Should I sit in judgment,
Do I have to judge me?
I couldn't tell you why good people suffer.
I couldn't tell you why the bad ones run free.
God showers blessings on the righteous and the wicked.
I only know that that covers me.

My only criticism of this album is the band's attempt to go soft in "Yes." Salomon has one of the most unique voices in rock. But as great as it is for hard music, it just doesn't work in a slow song, especially not in a duet with a female.

Nevertheless, Stavesacre represents the band at its best in several different styles. If you don't know the band, this is the first album you want to get. If you do know the band, you're getting more of the same. But you're getting it in a better package than before.

4 tocks