October 31, 2009

The Almost – Monster, Monster

The Almost – Monster, Monster
Score: 4.395

I’m sorry, Mr. Gillespie. I’m glad you’ve kept your day job as drummer/vocalist for Underoath. This whole “modern rock” thing isn’t working out for you very well. I get it. You’re a bit of an icon. The only original member of Underoath. A damn good drummer and decent vocalist. But drummers aren’t always good at writing alt. pop songs. This is why I can’t support your efforts with The Almost.

Monster, Monster is conveniently titled and designed to be a Christian teen’s companion album to an autumn full of Where the Wild Things Are tie-ins. But that poor kid is going to be bored out of his mind and might actually try to set sail for an imaginary island if this album is all he’s got to listen to.

I didn’t like Southern Weather a whole lot. The title track was catchy and all, but the album as a whole was bland. This continues that trend, except with no hooks in any of the songs. Clearly someone else is doing the heavy lifting in Gillespie’s other band.

There are moments of hope where style shifts into an almost-southern rock thing (get it? ALMOST), with hints of a slide guitar and actual emotion. But Aaron’s voice pushes us back into the alt/emo realm with nothing special to offer. If he’d carry the band full swing into an alt. country thing (or do anything remotely considered unique), The Almost might have a chance.

10 Responses to “The Almost – Monster, Monster”

  1. On 10/31/09 2:12 PM, The Almost – Monster, Monster | BUZZGRINDER VX China said:

    [...] the rest here:  The Almost – Monster, Monster | BUZZGRINDER By admin | category: monster | tags: day-job, rock-thing, working-out | Saturday [...]

  3. On 10/31/09 2:46 PM, David M said:

    *sits back and waits for the comments to come*

  5. On 10/31/09 2:56 PM, Cool dude said:

    HARSH!!!

  7. On 11/1/09 10:01 AM, Jason said:

    AARON IS MY FAVORITE REDHEAD

  9. On 11/1/09 10:56 AM, MikeyS said:

    gettin a little better….you actually mentioned the music a few time. I can’t give the almost much credit. the whole “I wonder how many people love me enough to buy whatever I do” angle is weak.

    this bloodnut should stay behind the kit

  11. On 11/1/09 10:16 PM, sir jorge said:

    what makes you an expert on teenage christians? let alone what music they like? terrible review…i don’t even know what the album sounds like…other than assuming you hate Genesis…and The Briggs…cause drummers singing just got a nice shot in the face

  13. On 11/1/09 11:22 PM, Sean Cannon said:

    “Monster, Monster is conveniently titled and designed to be a Christian teen’s companion album to an autumn full of Where the Wild Things Are tie-ins. But that poor kid is going to be bored out of his mind and might actually try to set sail for an imaginary island if this album is all he’s got to listen to.”

    that could’ve been the entire review for me. that pretty much says all there is to say about this record.

    we’re not doing album descriptions, we’re doing album reviews — which means we tell you if we think it’s any good. sometimes that means we describe the music in-depth. sometimes not so much. i don’t need to hear specifics on how canned the guitars sound or how derivative the music is. the review above pretty much says all that in its own way.

  15. On 11/2/09 1:44 PM, escapewinterlake said:

    It’s actually a really great EP! Jus’ sayin’

  17. On 11/2/09 6:58 PM, Andrew said:

    I hate this guy’s voice, and his music sucks too.

    Also, it’s very much a good thing when a music review gives a reason why it thinks an album is good/bad. If you don’t back up your opinion, your opinion holds no weight.

  19. On 11/3/09 10:02 AM, New Releases: Nirvana, Mastodon, Say Anything | BUZZGRINDER said:

    [...] The Almost – Monster, Monster Monday, 6:58 [...]

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