Texas
powerhouse Unloco delivers more of the same with their new
album Becoming I, despite claims of it being a revelation.
The album seems bland at some points, lacking the energy needed
to drive the act. The first single "Failure" brings together
a good slow acoustical mix followed by an uninspired chorus.
In fact, most of the album follows the same soft one part/heavy
another format.
The
album doesn't seem like it was mixed 100% perfect, despite
having mega-producer Mudrock (Godsmack, Powerman 5000) running
the show. The songs are very personal, each about the same
thing; the dilemma of an unpleasant relationship. In some
ways it becomes rather repetitive. The repetition of the same
theme over and over makes the album seem like it's dragging
on at points, putting you at the mercy of fast forward. If
the songs had some kind of variety, it could have been much
more enjoyable to listen to. Still, there's enough metal substance
to provide a good quality head bang.
Lead
singer Joey Duenas is the draw of the band through his screams
and impressive singing, which makes the band a standard nu-metal
act without him. Everything on the album does seem too standard
though, with nothing particularly exceptional standing out.
The album lacks in originality just like the album before
it. Although standard, there is still something about Unloco
that draws you in to listen, almost like a subconscious force
that takes you over.
If
you liked Unloco before, you'll like them again, but this
CD will not draw new fans in like it was intended to.
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