Everywhere I look, I see this CD compared to Alice In Chains. While not a totally inaccurate comparison, it's also not the whole story. An acoustic album which combines three new songs, "Running Blind," "Voices" and "Touche" with songs off their first 3 cds, "Re-align", "Keep away", "Spiral", and "Asleep" (which is the acoustic version of "Awake"), it's also singerSully Erna's first dive into producing. The aptly named The Other Side shows that they have rythmic and melodic range that they haven't yet shown. Sully shows that his vocal range goes beyond the heavy and into the more melody-driven range. He really gets it done without the gravelly growl or effects that have been his trademark.
While it comes across as somewhat trendy, (you know, the "heavy band does acoustic album") Godsmack shows that their intensity and talent goes beyond the volume and speed of the songs. This is a wonderfully done trip to the (I hesitate to do this....) "other side" of a band that has a lot of life left in them. The new songs are very good while the acoustic renditions of the older stuff hold their own. The singing and playing shows a band at the top of it's game but the album is just too damn short to get top ratings.
Clocking in at only 29:54, calling The Other Side an album is a stretch. However, they do take the time they've used and put it to good use. Stripping down to just the music, Godsmack has nothing to hide behind. Sully sings well and they show a depth that few realize they had, particularly with the acoustic version of "Awake," aptly named "Asleep," and the new "Touché," which features a vocal duet with Dropbox singer John Kosco and a guest performance from Godsmack's original guitarist Lee Richards. The highlight of the CD, though, is the haunting new song "Voices," a harmonious description of schizophrenia which includes some chant-like background vocals, incredible lead singing and some very nice guitar work.
While I wouldn't recommend this CD as an introduction to this band, it's a solid addition to a growing catalogue of very solid albums. Don't forget to go see them opening for Metallica on the "Faceless/Other Side" tour, hitting a city near you soon.
Rating: 7 of 10
Article comments
1 - leah
i really love godsmack. i started listeing to them when i was like 9 or 10 and im 15 right now..i really wanted to meet them or at least talk to them in email or sumthing. im the only 15 yr old girl in my whole middle school that knows who godsmack is and it's kinda sad.