Entry - Part 2
Continuing my top ten albums of 2014 so far. So let's commence on.
9.
Band: Nothing More
Album: S/T
Release: May 13, 2014 via Eleven Seven Music
Length: 68:00
Tracklist:
1. Ocean Floor
2. This Is The Time (Ballast)
3. Christ Copyright
4. Mr. MTV
5. First Punch
6. Gyre
7. The Matthew Effect
8. I'll Be Ok
9. Here's to the Heartache
10. If I Were
11. Friendly Fire
12. Sex & Lies
13. Surface Flames
14. Take A Bullet
15. Jenny
16. God Went North
17. Pyre
I first discovered this band back in 2012 while doing my usual YouTube new music searching. The name was kind of interesting, and the album cover was kind of unigue. Their S/T was actually released once before the official label release when they signed to Eleven Seven Music, which is how I heard most of this album before it was released this year. Nothing More has released four albums; Shelter, Madhatter's Bliss, Vandura, The Few Not Fleeting, and their S/T effort released this year.
Compared to their previous release back in 2009, The Few Not Fleeting. Their S/T takes on a more serious theme, revolving around human nature. I'd call the album a sort of personal study or observation as humanity as an entirety; the greed, lust, pretty much anything you can imagine or think about regarding human nature, how we treat ourselves, others, or this world in general is a topic on this album, at least it was what I took away from it.
What is impressive about Nothing More is their ability to craft extremely focused music. The opening intro track
Ocean Floor sets up the coming onslaught of the aggressive, yet hauntingly direct detail of society in
This Is the Time (Ballast)...singer Jonny Hawkins sings almost in a desperate tone, pleading..."When did we become these sinking stones? When did we build this broken home? Holding eachother like ransom notes, Dropping our hearts to grip our brother's throat..." The opening verse of this song, along with how the song starts in general, hooked me straight away. Jonny Hawkins voice is distinct, with excellent range and control. He's known for his throat singing, as you can see him do in live footage...
Aside from
This Is The Time (Ballast). This album has plenty more to offer, and never really falters off course, while managing to keep you interested with variety and plenty of well executed tracks.
Mr. MTV is a close look at the effect of pop culture on our youth, what is advertised toward them, but there's also the flip side of the song detailing how shallow the industry is in general, the lack of vision or direction there is. It's marketing to exploit the greed and lustful desires of us all.
There's plenty here for everyone. Highly recommended. A smart, well put together album.
Stand out tracks:
This Is The Time (Ballast)
Mr. MTV
I'll Be Ok
Here's to the Heartache
Jenny
Indulge in this excellent album, will you!
I'll Be Ok. This song really hit home for me when I first heard it. I can really identify with the lyrics. Well written. This is also my favorite track from their new album. I hope you all enjoy this great new band as much as I do. They sacrificed absolutely none of their originality when they signed with Eleven Seven Music. This band will be great if they keep with the formula they have. This Is The Time (Ballast) has been #1 for nearly a month now if I can recall right. That's awesome for a Rock song in this day and age.
Enjoy everyone.