Search - Helmet :: Betty

A great but hugely unappreciated album

Warstub | 12/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My musical soulmate is a bass guitarist who loves old skool hip-hop, James Brown, and all Ice Cube, but there is one rythym section that he has constantly harped on at me about ever since I introduced him to this album: John Stanier and Henry Bogdan. He's not a fan of their earlier albums but this one totally rocks his boat. And that's one of the reasons it 'failed' to meet the standards set by the previous album - it rocked the boat. But never does it sink! In fact this album crunches just as hard as previous albums, but also swings in places unlike previous albums, and it also reaches a level of subtlety that allows big distortion to wash over the listener without being abrasive ('I Know'). Helmet fashioned an album that stretched their talents and showed that their form of Heavy Rock didn't have to limit them. 'Betty' is a much more enjoyable album to listen to, and allows each song to breathe its own air, rather than the same boring air that can often encompass one album. A great album, and well worth investigating, not only for the brilliant musicianship of all involved, but for great songs as well!"