Wind-up
records has had a great deal of luck when it comes to introducing
new bands into the rock scene. In the last year they have
brought Seether, Evenescense, and now Big Dismal into the
mainstream. Big Dismal is from the South, which is quite evident
in their sound and singer, Eric Durrance's slight southern
drawl. While these boys are not country they aren't quite
rock either, or at least of that nu-metal persuasion that
has become so popular as of late.
Obviously
with a name like Big Dismal this record is the type of disc
you save for one of those rainy days. Especially if you are
feeling lonely, throw on "Hanging On". The sadness found in
this song, such things like " Not that these guys are anywhere
near emo, actually its quite the opposite. The sanding hope
found in lyrics like "to love me when I'm feeling down/when
no one else will come around" or the inability to let go like
'"I can't take anymore/Is this worth trying for/You keep me
hanging on and on/You keep me hanging on" might make you think
that this another emo record, but far from it. The guys are
so good at being hopefully depressing while keeping it in
line with rock and roll instead of complaint rock, their considerably
heavier label mate Evanescence's singer Amy Lee even found
it appropriate to lend her vocals to the track entitled "Missing
You".
Examining
the whole as parts, the Big Dismal guys' strength lies in
their musical capabilities as well as their lyrical emotional
gravity. Singer Durrance has been compared to vocalists like
Scott Weiland or Eddy Vedder, and although he lacks their
strong poetic approach he carries quite a tune. Durance may
provide simple words but he delivers them with emotion. Additionally,
you can listen to the whole album with out skipping songs
because there is enough variety. They have big guitars, clean
chords, and a melodic structure in line with Stone Temple
Pilot's' first album Core. These guys aren't doing anything
new and futuristic, they just are going to the roots of rock.
And there is nothing wrong with creating a simple rock record.
Isn't that what rock is all about anyways? Simplicity.
The
only problem these guys run into is that they are too close
in line with Creed. Not that their music is as over-produced
or repetitious. Their heavier references to Christ like" I
don't want to wear that crown" in Too Pretty, as well as the
fact the song Remember has definite spiritual overtones seeing
as it is a song about the 'sacrifice' Christ made. Additionally,
a lot of their effects and the mixing of the cd sounds pretty
similar to Creed's two last cds, lending a strange artificial
element to what sounds like it suppose to be four guys playing
in a barn. Apart from the Creed/ Christian rock thing, this
is a pretty strong record. They have some merit of musical
talent but as far as image content is concerned, they are
about as exciting as your grandmothers baptism. Time will
tell if they are worth a viewing but right now they are worth
a listen to.
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