This project was a long time in the making, at least in the planning stages. Trouble's Bruce Franklin had made some demos with Doug Pinnick years ago. The result is some super heavy low-end rock with soulful vocals.
I look at Doug Pinnick's lyrics these days the way I would, say, Michael Stipe. The words might sound good, but it might not mean anything to me. This is a shame, since the vocals take such a center stage prominence in this music, as well as in comparison to what kind of words used to flow from his pen. It's not all bad here, but the source adds a different light to lines like "a house divided won't stand" and "Mister Christian, don't lie" ("Automatic"). And there's a story in "Candy Andy Jane" that talks about "that woman, she loves Jesus, too. Said she's gonna go to Heaven, too." All of these expressions can mean completely different things based upon whether an "outsider" or "insider" is saying them. Know what I mean?
Musically, most of my friends think this album falls short of special. Not me. I love the stomping, romping bold moves that are made, the rumbling low end, and the tasteful guitar leads and melodies. Tunes like "Won't Drag Me Down" and "Kingdom Come" rock so hard and are so melodic that I could just scream with joy. Fans of both Trouble and King's X have recognizable sonics to enjoy, but I'm loving the funk and boogie flavor that many of these monster riffs convey. It's nice to hear a guitarist borrow from the early Roth-era Scorpions sound in the classical and blues-influenced ballad, "Shadows / Light."
Overall, I really, really dig this music. Lyrically, to be honest, I can't figure it out.
Similar sounding releases
2001PoundhoundPineappleskunk
2005Doug PinnickEmotional Animal
1997LordchainLordchain
1996David BensonPurpose of the Cross
1997Last ChapterThe Living Waters
1997Bad Little DuckFull Color Inside
