Search - Hurt :: Re-Consumation (Dig)

The Re-Consumation will consume any Hurt fan quite easily

JBauerisGod | VA | 02/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Back in 2004, in the days before Capitol Records, a little known band by the name of "Hurt," led by lead singer J. Loren, was trying to make a name for themselves. Before current members Evan Johns, Josh Ansley and Paul Spatola joined the band, Loren was working meticulously on a small album called "The Consumation," of which only around two thousand were distributed at the time.



Fast forward two albums, a single that continues to climb the charts ("Ten Ton Brick"), and four years later, on the eve of a tour with modern rock megastars Breaking Benjamin, Seether and Three Days Grace, those few remaining copies of "The Consumation" were selling for nearly $100 on eBay. Instead of allowing only a select few to here their original masterpiece, Loren decided to release a remastered version of their first album. Well it's not really their first album (Loren and Hurt released a self-titled CD even before The Consumation), but for historical purposes, it'll work.



As a self-proclaimed Hurtie, I've had the pleasure of listening to Hurt from the near beginning (just after Vol. I was released). Through my numerous listening experiences, I've grown to love not only the hardass rock that Hurt does so well but the unplugged version of the band as well. Their acoustic sets are something else. Truly amazing.



The Re-Consumation essentially offers this type of Hurt "unplugged" that I love so dearly. Everything is so raw and powerful. Looking at the set list, some might be turned off by the number of songs that have appeared on either Vol. I or Vol. II (or The Blackmarket EP). But I can assure any doubters that these versions on The Re-Con are totally different than what you have heard on Vol. I or II. You can really hear the power of Loren's still maturing voice on this album.



"House of Cards" opens The Re-Con and gives us a nice taste of what's to come over the next six songs. "Unclean" is this album's "Rapture" or "Ten Ton Brick," offering the casual fans of the band (is that possible?!) something to listen to. For fans of "Overdose" or "House Carpenter," "The Consumation" (the song) displays the epic build up that is typical of the songs listed above. It's personally my favorite on the album. Oddly enough, "Overdose" is one of my favorite songs that the band has created.



I would basically break the album down into two different sets. The first six songs, with the exception of "Still," is definitely the harder half of the album. Starting with "Omission," the second half of the album is definitely mellower, intermixing Loren's violin skills with an acoustic guitar. It's as if Loren didn't know whether the band was heading into the heavier realm of the rock world or the lighter, alternative side. Either way, The Re-Consumation shows the range that Hurt has the ability to play. They aren't your average rock band with screaming vocals.



I can't really find any downfalls with this album. Some may not like the sound quality, but I think it gives this album a truly unique form. I'm the person who would rather have a bad recording when compared to a song that is processed to death to get rid of any imperfection. I like the imperfections. It makes it more real.



Overall, if you're a fan of Hurt, it's a must have. Just hearing how Loren and the band has progressed over the years is pretty cool in it's own right. Plus, it can never hurt (no pun intended, honestly!) to help the band out."

Consumated again

D. Lewis | States | 04/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just as good as the fist two CDs. If you dig Hurt the Re-consumation is a must."

A band that definately makes you think, a band that has more

Samuel Jacob Peyton | Lewiston, MI | 10/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hurt, I first heard them on the radio with Rapture, I swear to god that day I fell in love with this band. The power of that song was overbearing, it makes you think of times that were painful and just plain horrible but at the same time you feel this calming feeling at the end of the song. I guess I have never really listened to this album the RE Consumation, which I think I have a lot of respect for a band that can record something that is so raw, its seems that it is untouched by the record company, no cleaning up at all. I think thats what makes this album great, like someone said in their review the imperfections is what I like about it. Its funny because sometimes in this world the imperfect things are perfect. Its not because the thing doesn't sound crisp or clean but rather its what its meant to sound like. Instead of making it perfect making it imperfect which equals perfection. I have seen a lot of people say certain bands are only worth paying attention to for example Tool, yes they are great and all but I believe some bands deserve more credit such as hurt which ironically are very similar to tool, but I think they are better in some aspects. I have not seen hurt live yet but I saw tool this summer they had no stage presence at all, they all stood there like statues and I was like you play very moving music but you hardly acknowledge the crowd and you act like your gods, when obviously your not. I think its sad that there are so many bands that don't get credit for their great music. I give it 5 out of 5 for any hurt album. I guess this is my two cents."