We slow down for a bit with "Live This Life," a mellowed out contemplation of life, a morose tone, but hopeful outcome. The mellow mood does not last long as the rock amps up for "Cruze Out of Control" which reminds me of Batmotorfinger era Soundgarden. Continuing the ebb and flow is the give and take between the two sides of the band, the higher energy post-grunge and the slower Staid style angst. "Abyss" is one of my favorite tracks, a slow sad tale in the twilight of a relationship. That is only the first half, there are still 6 more songs on this disk.
Slave to the System is a group of accomplished musicians and talented songwriters who have stepped outside the system to write a focused album, honing their skills in an organic environment where the music has a flow to it that may not be possible in a studio/label atmosphere. As mature as the music sounds, there is an easy flowing nature to it, nothing is forced, it is just great rock music. It is also an album that grows on you, the more you listen, the more you hear, and the more you will want to listen to it. If at first you are not sucked in, listen to it again, I guarantee that you will start to like it, if not love it.
Recommended. ***.5 / *****
Article comments
1 - Connie Phillips
Editor's note: This article now has another venue for success - and more eyes - at the Advance.net Web sites, a site affiliated with about 12 newspapers.
One such site is here.