Not Up to Par
Wanda Donnelly | St. Louis | 03/23/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I LOVE (hed) p.e. I really do. But I just have to say that this album falls short of their other two, especially the first cd. What first attracted me to (hed) was that they were unpredictable, clever, bad-ass attitude. Broke was a good album, but I think they sacrified their crazy style for more "solid" sondwriting, whatever that means. Blackout is a good album, and will appeal to people who want a kind of quirky punkish sound. But it doesn't do justice for (hed). They decided that they needed to get lay off on their hip-hop sound, because they thought that "rap-metal" was going out of style, which is completely retarded, because music is music, not trends. You know, I hate to say it, but it sounds like (hed) might just be selling out. But, you know what, I have faith that their next album will be like old school (hed) but mabye even better. The only song on Blackout that sounds anything like their old stuff is "Crazy Life", which is actually pretty good. I would recommend this cd to hardcore (hed) fans and people who liked the song "Blackout", because most of the other songs on this album sound similar. But next time (hed) releases a new album, I'll still be first in line."
Blackout is ear candy, but it's Dangerous at the Core
jake livingston | MD | 04/02/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Blackout, the new album from rap-metal reggae death-pop entrepreneur (hed) PE is decent. Then again, nobody expected anything revolutionary from the band best described as a crossbreed of Kottonmouth Kings' lyrical content and vibe, Linkin Park's production, and Limp Bizkit's negative energy and guitar effects. (hed) call their unique sound "G-Punk" in case you were wondering.(hed)'s music could be, and commonly is perceived as trivial and easy to make fun of, but underneath the rap-metal façade lies the quality freak-of-nature album we've all been waiting for (this is a good thing). Maybe it's the threatening and violent lyrics. Maybe it's that homeless guy mentality vocalist Jahred evokes. There is something compelling about (hed). We heard it on 2000's Broke and its' single "Bartender," and I hear it on Blackout.This album is a not a stylistic departure from the two previous albums, which is a good idea as I have my doubts that anybody in the band is skilled enough to venture outside the disease-ridden rap-metal world without making a fool of themselves. What the album does offer is a roller coaster ride through the land of hip-hop infused reggae, rap-metal, and synth-rock, all sugar coated for Jive, without alienating the old school fans. Blackout maybe ear candy, but it's dangerous at the core. The band lets the listener relax, and then suddenly, atmospheres change, distortion increases, and craziness ensues. On "Carnival" the band alternates a guitar driven chorus and melodic reggae verses. The contrasting sounds, new aggressive guitar riffage, and equally aggressive lyrics create a surreal moment during the song. The band teeters back and forth on Blackout, from chill, mainstream hip-hop, "The Other Side" to their indigestible take on speed metal, "Revelations."The reason (hed) blows bands like Linkin Park away is they exude the recklessness of Hardcore, while Linkin Park and others sit around and play their conformity cards, never taking a risk. This is not to say Linkin Park isn't any good, but it's bands like (hed) that are going to expose LP and make them look like the new bastard-child of rap-metal. On Blackout, Orange County's coolest homeless-rockers (hed) PE do the community a great service, pushing the genre I hate to recognize, rap-metal, "One Step Closer" to its' inevitable demise, and they do it in style. I take it back, Blackout is not decent, it's better than that, because once the novelty effect that is (hed)'s mysterious mixture of hardcore, Goth and hip-hop, with techno and reggae wears off, the album still kills! If you live the "crazy life" (song 6), and I know you do, you need to feel the freak that is (hed) Planet Earth. There is something for everyone on this album, 14 dangerous songs of debauchery, dirty dancing, and depravity. Even if you don't like sex, drugs, or violence, you should check (hed) out, "Lets get ready to destroy/Just, Just , Just, Just Bring it...Bow down, Bow down, 1, 2, 3 Suck it up/Bow Down, Bow Down, 123 suck it up/Its not the end of the world, its just a phase/They all love to see you fall, flat on your face," that is an excerpt from Suck It Up, the first track off (hed) PE's new album Blackout, due out March 18."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1