Search - Doubledrive :: Blue in the Face

Wow.

Ieatemokids | Virginia | 06/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had the strangest urge to grab this album and run with it out of the store after just hearing "Imprint" a couple of times via my computer. I practically did that, except I took a detour towards the checkout lines. My suspicions of sorts have been vanquished, and I have been completely reassured that I am not going crazy, I totally still got it. This album is the finest thing to breach the confines of modern hard rock since Incubus' Make Yourself. They dare to be awesome, and in more ways than one. I have heard talk of a difference between Blue in the Face and 1000 Yard Stare, and will say I have never heard the latter and don't have any impulse to at the moment. With that said though, I need not compare DoubleDrive to themselves, but I can explain how they are far superior to labelmates Nickelback and Theory of a Deadman in every way. The kickstart of a track "11:59" is cleverly written and features a hell of a hook. A plain good rock and roll song, there is even a solo to match the verses and sing along lyrics, which by the way are very well done throughout the album. It hits me everytime as being profound when I find myself singing "Maybe it's tomorrow right now, 11:59". To me, that has "this is only the beginning, and we realize the beginning is awesome" stamped on it. The next track and acclaimed single, "Imprint" is a little more mellow than the opener, but is so catchy it is impossible to resist. It will have you crooning along in no time, the band shows that the replacement of thrashing guitars can be countered by a thoughful song that blends rock driven guitars with sweet melodies. It is the most memorable of the tracks from the first listen, but is by far not the only one. There may be hype stored in "hollowbody", and while it is catchy, the band is about to knock your socks off, so it can be set aside for the time being.What is so great about this album comes down to the song "Million People". Partially acoustic, the number is so tender and yet so powerful. Well, it is just a plain beautiful song. Maybe not the most encouraging piece, it highlights the mellow roots that show when the band has the chance to express itself however it wants. That must be the magic behind Blue in the Face. DoubleDrive is a relatively unknown band, and they can still do whatever they like because a million people aren't dying to hear what they want to hear. To pull something off this well makes me think of the absolutely amazing "Stories" off of Trapt's debut. Songs like this make buying cds worth it. The next track returns to the tread of the opener, "I don't care" has a well, carefree melody that really gets the adrenaline back into the cd so as to stop it from moving along fast enough. After the first 5 tracks however, it is perfectly normal for you to never want it to end. The assault contines! And how appropriate, "Freightrain" has a brooding chorus that plays off of itself to create a woven pattern that captivates with the first listen. A little down in intensity from "I don't care", but nevertheless a solid effort. It makes up in emotion what it loses in aggressiveness. The statement has been made that the edge is gone from the band. You want in your face? Try the next few tracks, "Track Number 7" and "Inside Out" are heavy rockers that remind me of Seether, especially the former. The first of the two starts in a lengthy buildup to a killer riff that gets your blood moving to say the least. The drums play an important part in keeping "Track Number 7" moving along, and the chorus hooks onto you just like one should, and the rest of the song takes over in aggression to portray a rise and decline that is so very effective. Well, also, "Inside Out" is much compacted and concentrated, but is fitting after the slower rocker "evenout" and has one of the most powerful in strength choruses on the album.A retreat back to the original, "The Hand" is as catchy as "Imprint" but as hard rockin' as "I don't care" and gets noted for being so good so late in the album, there isn't a drop off near the end of this one, which is so very refreshing. Finally, "Big Shove" is the most interesting track of the 11. It wasn't originally an acoustic number, but it doesn't feel out of place. The fact that every track on the disc is worth mentioning is a statement in itself. All of them are enjoyable, and releases this solid don't just come up and hit you in the face like the guitars on "Track Number 7" all the time. My advice, take your chance and buy this album, I can't see anything not to like."

Guitar Rock Lives

Ieatemokids | 07/28/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I heard the song Imprint on MusicMatch Radio and added the song to my "Bands to Checkout" list. After checking out the generally strong reviews for this album and their first (i.e. _1000 Yard Stare_), I went ahead and bought it. I'm very happy with it. It seems almost a lost art for a band to make a CD that is listenable all the way through. This is one I just put on and hit play. All of the songs have great rhythem, usually catchy lyrics, and they just plain rock. No, it isn't what I'd call nu-metal, or even metal for that matter. Yet, I'll say it again, it rocks.
Everybody wants some sort of comparison to "known" bands, and despite the danger of biases, here's my take, ignoring for the moment that this band (like most good bands) has its own sound. This is just what comes to mind when I try to think of who they remind me of:Collective Soul + Theory of a Deadman + Candlebox + Econoline Crush + Riverdogs.Not any one of those, and not the combination of all those together. Just bands (and various mixtures) that I'm reminded of when I stop just enjoying Doubledrive and TRY to find comparisons.
There seems to be a common comment that _Blue in the Face_ is different (disappointly?) than the acclaimed _1000 Yard Stare_. Well, I like this album so I'm off to buy _1000 Yard Stare_. If for no other reason than to support these guys. We'll see if I like it better, the same or less as _Blue In the Face_."

Long Time Comin'

Ieatemokids | 04/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a definitive album for doubleDrive's arrival back to rock. Unbelievable not more people know who they are by now. Songs like Hollowbody & Freightrain are radio singles waiting to happen. Their first single is Imprint, which is probably the best song on the album. There are so many solid tracks, its to hard to decide. This is quite a departure from 1000 Yard Stare, maybe not as heavy, but none the less impressive. I really love this band and hope for a better outcome than the last record label showed them. And hope for not so long inbetween albums next time around!"