Artist: The Division Group
Label: Ghetto Crush Industries
Release Date: 2003
Rating: 4 Skulls
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Title: The Division Group Artist: The Division Group Label: Ghetto Crush Industries Release Date: 2003
Rating: 4 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Requiem (9/9/03):
Quite possibly one of the best kept secrets of the underground, The Division Group (formerly known as Supergrub) make their first official mark amongst the masses. This latest 5 song EP lays down the heartfelt and soul extracting tracks from the musical genius of Ben Kenney, who some may know as the new bassist of rock monsters Incubus. And besides being a previous touring member of hip-hop gurus The Roots and the Jazzy Fat Nasties, The Division Group is his pride and joy, where he has total control over the reins. Since he started this in '95, the project has ventured down many avenues, from pop punk to reggae to hard driving rock. And the question remains, does this really deserve to be reviewed on a site called Metal Judgment? For our more open-minded readers, absolutely.I've been an avid follower of the band since I was force fed their music for years, and it finally clicked in 2000 with the Challenger record under the moniker of Supergrub. Since that time I've been a devotee to all the music that Ben makes, holding him up to such godlike status as Steve Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and Mikael Akerfelt (Opeth). Ben writes and arranges all the music and at selected times in the past, all instruments have been performed by him. He is gifted at all that he does, be it guitar, bass, drums or his mesmerizing vocal skills. He's got the production experience to record everything himself and make it sound beautiful. There's no doubt that he's a pro musician in more ways than one.
Now that the ass kissing is over with, you ask "what do they sound like??" Well, the band has progressed over the years from more of a pop punk/hardcore act into today's more melodic rock sound. Think of any of the post hardcore sounds like Into Another or Quicksand, with vocals that come across with a Jamiroqui tone and the Jeff Buckley high notes. Ben could out sing almost anyone in my book, and his melodies are straight from the heart and soul. When he lays down vocal harmonies, it's practically a mind-altering experience. The drums are ultra tight, and lock into a killer groove when needed. The guitars go anywhere from jazzy rhythms to ambient space jams to full on heavy rock. The bass is slick and provides the flash when needed. Overall the band has a slight prog nature to it, not exactly going by the books. But the end result is smooth as can be. And you gotta love the no frills attitude that always goes along with it all. Despite the 5 tracks, you basically get three rockers with the other two being some sort of filler instrumental mumbo jumbo. Simple cover, simple website, killer music. But the rockers rock, and you'll get a taste of what is to come out of this mastermind musician.
So far no major labels have picked them up, and it's an absolute crime. But now that Kenney is a full on rock star, there could be some red tape to make it happen. I don't care, as long as the man keeps writing music. But this is a band that deserves to be the next big thing. And with the proper label and promotion that will happen. Mark my words. I've stood by this band for about three years now, and I don't plan on letting up any time soon. If you can dig the alternative rock sounds, you can do no harm by trying to obtain some of this material. Almost everyone I associate with can agree that this is phenomenal stuff. So seek it, and help spread the word for the overall good of mankind.
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