Artist: E. Town Concrete
Label:Razor & Tie
Release Date: 4/15/03
Rating: 1 Skulls
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Title: The Renaissance Artist: E. Town Concrete Label:Razor & Tie Release Date: 4/15/03
Rating: 1 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Blind (7/28/03):
It's no secret that I like nu-metal. I enjoy its emotional (real or contrived) appeal, angst-laden grooves and lyrics, and the energy it produces at shows. Mudvayne, for example, had the best mosh pit I've ever been in.But... like any genre, you have your "artists" that seem to put out crap just to sell records--i.e. "let's create a formulaic record that sells--regardless of whether or not it's a soulless marketing product". Unfortunately, E. Town Concrete's latest, The Renaissance, falls into that category.
The best way I can describe this disc is a sellout version of Stuck Mojo. It's really generic rapcore. Now, I do like some rapcore. But this? It's essentially an amalgamation of weak riffing and chants. They throw in catch phrases like, "revolution!" and "fight!" or "rise!" occasionally. Meatheads that aren't paying attention will catch these words and get excited about this band.
I, on the other hand, pay more attention. I see this from the outside of the "mallcore" pit.
An example of the lyrics (from the song "Battle Lines"):
if you're not with us you're against us
we can battle down in the trenches
you against us
(for my next meal I'll eat you punks for breakfast)
Okay, guys. You look like you are individually 140 lbs soaking wet. I'm not impressed.Why? Again, they're trying to be hardcore, but their riffing and such is extraordinarily mainstream, and it seems quite obvious that most of their songs were created for radio airplay.
Another thing that amazes me about this band is that all of the members are white. Brand me "racist" if you'd like (you ignorant ass), but these people seem to be trying really, really hard to sound black--or at least to appeal to black people or other white people trying to be black. "Them cats" and "dawg" and such in the lyrics are all the proof I need. I suppose I could cite more examples, but I don't like this disc as it is, so I won't bother.
I hate to have to justify myself again, but seriously folks: I like the new Linkin Park and the new Disturbed. Why? Because those bands aren't trying to be "edgy" and mainstream at the same time. E. Town Concrete is. And is simply doesn't work.
Speaking of justification, in psychology, there's a phenomenon that states that constant repetition of phrases reassures the unsure. I believe this wholeheartedly with E. Town Concrete. All of their songs seem to be about how tough they are and how they'll "eat... punks for breakfast". It's kind of sad. Honestly, I fear the power of my beer farts more than that.
Favorite tracks: none. I couldn't wait to get this shit out of my player.
One word review: *yawn*
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