Husky McDump

Emsanders reivew #2

He is Legend - I am Hollywood



Official release date: November 02, 2004

Label : Solid Sate (partnered with Tooth n' Nail just a little fyi)


1. "Act 1, Scene 1: The Seduction"
3. "Act 1, Scene 3: The Creature Walks (End Scene)"
4. "Act 2, Scene 1: The Greatest Actor Alive... (Enters Stage Right)"
5. "Act 2, Scene 2: China White (End Scene)"
6. "Act 3, Scene 1: ...Best In Mexico"
7. "Act 3, Scene 2: The Walls Have Teeth (End Scene)"
8. "Act 4, Scene 1: Do You Think I'm Pretty?"
9. "Act 4, Scene 2: Dinner With A Gypsy (End Scene)"
10. "Finale: I Am Hollywood (Fin)"


Band Members:
Schuylar Croom (vocals)
Adam Tanbouz (guitar)
Matt Williams (bass)
Steven Bache (drums)
Mitch Marlow (ex-guitarist, on I Am Hollywood & Suck Out the Poison

I learned a lot after my first review, gonna mellow it out a little bit but still do my best at analyzing it.

The Seduction

And off we go! Quick start to the freshmen release from He is Legend, great varitey of guitar licks and vocal styles in this song.

Eating a Book
This album shows Steven Bache's great sense of style with his drum play. Great vocals with different phases throughout the duration of this track, He is Legend really hit the nail on the head for guitar licks on this album.

The Creature Walks
This track shows Schulyar's range in vocal talent. Jazzy bass lines give this song a great since of style, along with giving you tasteful solo's. As I said before amazing guitar licks throughout this album.

The Greatest Actor Alive
Again poking at the lighter side vocal wise, He is Legend still has you headbanging for this pop-like vocal driven track. Smooth harmonies with both guitars born from 80's metal show yet another side from this genre-less musical powerhouse group.

China White
Hypnotic intro with very unique rhythm, breaks into a slower paced ballad with moments of darkness. Great balance of singing/screaming by Schyluar.

...Best in Mexico
Heavy intro minor based chord progression, but yet it reveals light tone vocals with smooth guitar lines. At the midpoint of this cd, He is Legend shows a broad range of genre balance.

The Walls Have Teeth
Slow moving bass intro, with jazzy smooth guitar lines and head banging guitar riffs put you on a roller coaster.

Do You Think I'm Pretty
This song seems to have a few flaws, vocals are a little off key and it just doesn't seem as though the band has its natural harmony that have on other tracks. Still plays a roll in the overall progression of this cd, with its greatest part at the end of this track with more face melting guitar lines.

Dinner With a Gypsy
Jazz/Blues instrumental intro, guitar lines are at their very best at this point in the album. Overall song writing for these guys is truly at its purest on this track. Note: Incredible outro

I Am Hollywood

The finally for this intriguing, genre blending album. Extremely heavy song showing some southern metal roots established down in the mucky soil of North Carolina. I have a little love/hate with this closer. A part of me thinks that an album as complex as this should have had some 70's style closer. On the contrary, my heart pounds when I listen to this song...every time. He is Legend making full out hardcore music is heaven on the ears.


This album was built around stage productions like "Goldilocks", and "Romeo and Juliet" overall the lyricisum is pretty good as it is, but it was very interesting how they delivered it relating songs to plays.

Lyric Captions
The Seduction



I've been jumping over buildings,
I've been sleeping in the street
"Mr. Jones" will be right with you
if you would just have a seat
Well I'll meet you at the river
where we both can clear our heads
I think we would look great dead.

I've got to find
To find the princess,
she's in another castle
And I'm dancing with the Capulet
We're so "crazy in love"

Juliet!
You know you want it [x4]
Oh!




Overall:
Genre-changing album delivered by a Christian band. This may not be everyone's favorite, but very, very interesting album to say the least. He is Legend took a very bold stance with this album and they came close to perfection.


Verdict: 9/10

Thanks for reading!


-Ems-

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