With original drummer Jon Lee’s suicide at the beginning of 2002, Feeder’s future looked bleak. Grant and Taka on one hand wanted to continue but on the other, felt that it would display a lack of tact, then, with the fans wanting to get some more from feeder, they got started on another album, this little gem.
Feeder had to find a new drummer; they found their drummer in August 2002. Mark Richardson, who had formerly been in the band
Skunk Anansie , picked up the sticks for this. Their 4th album which sees them taking a different musical direction than their previous releases
How does it take a different direction? In a lot of ways, The last song that feeder put out that had Jon on the drums was Just a Day. High tempo, “bouncy” feel. There aren’t really a lot of songs like that on the album, with Grant instead taking a mellower songwriting approach which is good as this is the side of feeder that we all know and love now. Instead of the fast, loud guitar we have Grant’s little hidden gem, the keyboard. The songs are accentuated by this no end.
As well playing the keyboard well, his guitar playing skills have grown as well. Now able to write slow, thought-provoking and deep guitar riffs he keeps some of that high tempo, rip up the stage sort of riffs as well. I’ve already touched upon the lyrics of this album, albeit briefly. The fact is if you buy this album expecting high speed, loud and energetic lyrics, you’re going to be disappointed. This album, instead of having those, has Grant wearing his heart on his sleeve lyrics-wise. This may turn the people who think feeder were better with their heavier material away. But while they lose that minority, they gain a new audience, it’s all good. The album is, lyrically, very relaxing for the most part but it also give Grant and Taka a chance to exorcise the demons that plagued them since Jon’s death. This shows through in some songs a lot more than others, the album’s lyrics show the extent of the pain those 2 were going through at the time.
The album isn’t completely mellow though, nearly half is an emulation of feeder before Jan 2002. The heavier songs balance the mellower ones out but you get this nagging feeling throughout the heavier songs on the album that Mark is trying to be Jon. It doesn’t work; the energy that Jon had isn’t in the less mellow songs. No matter how much Mark tries in this album, he’ll never be Jon Lee. That’s not to say he’s a bad drummer, au contraire, Mark’s drumming is very good, very solid. Unfortunately the feeling that Jon would have done better is still there.
what was good about this album
Grant, basically everything he’s touched on the album has turned to gold, in fact, platinum, that’s how amazing he is on this album.
Taka: his bass playing on the singles that came from the album is good
Mark: his drumming throughout the songs is solid and better than normal rhythm keeping
what wasn’t quite so good
I found Mark to be trying to be like Jon Lee, that really annoyed me but that’s not so much musical as in my head.
I also thought that the keyboard could be used more as a lead instrument instead of a background instrument.[/b]
Summary
In short, if you had dismissed Feeder as a stupid little mainstream rock band, give this a listen, it’ll change you mind.
If you bought recent album “Pushing the Senses”, this album shows a bit of Feeder’s heavy side as well.
If you buy this thinking “Feeder = fast = good, you will be disappointed at the start then this will grow on you.
This is not a classic, no doubt about it,not musically anyway, but taking the bands circumstances into account, i think that would be excuseable
Ratings
Within genre, 4/5
Outside genre, 2.75/5
Overall rating, 3.4/5
Dedicated To Jon Lee 1968-2002
“we will miss you more than melody” Grant & Taka
