Review Summary: If you have a superior choice, this isn't the album for you.
With influences like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Godsmack, and Skillet, and song titles ranging from “Watching You Die” to “All That Matters”, there’s one thought that floods to the surface: another typical heavy rock band trying to achieve success by ripping off already successful bands of the genre. While post-grunge group Jonah 33 didn’t reinvent the wheel, they did a decent job shamelessly ripping off their influences.
As a package, the album is nothing new: it’s heavy enough to be labeled as rock, and melodic enough to be played on FM radio. There’s distorted guitars balanced by light acoustic moments, gruff but not screamed vocals reminiscent of both Kurt Cobain and Sully Erna, and monotonous but sufficient drums and bass. Vocalist Vince sounds like a mix of John Cooper and Kurt Cobain at harsher moments, and does not have too much of an original sound. He conveys the messages on the record powerfully enough, but it’s never a strong- powerful. In addition, he utilizes a type of half-scream on rare occasion that’s supposed to be harsh, but comes off as extremely weak and pointless. Guitarist Jason Rooney is a decent guitarist, and plays genre-typical riffs with talent, but these same riffs are generic and have been utilized and over-utilized by bands like Linkin Park and Seether. Bassist Cory Riley just plays what is needed, only occasionally standing out, and it’s the same for drummer Josh Dougan.
So, why’s the album rated a 3? Although Jonah 33’s sound has been overdone and done to a highly improved degree, Jonah does know how to create heavy rock that’s catchy and somewhat accessible, and Vince can deliver a strong chorus. Tracks like “Watching You Die” and “Too Much of Me” have extremely catchy choruses, and “Too Much of Me” has an enjoyable melody to it, and a decent-but overused-solo. “Watching You Die” blends the melodic side of the band with the edgier side the best, while “Death and The Life” is the heaviest track of the album, with enjoyable riffs and vocals. Ballads like “Faith Like That” and “Working Man Hands” are similar to Nickelback and Pillar, and are nothing special.
As the name portrays, Jonah 33 is a Christian band. As a Christian, this reviewer would much prefer ambiguity that forces you to search for the Christian leanings in the lyrics, and bands like Red, August Burns Red, and Project 86 do a superb job with this. However, Jonah 33 does not. Similar to early Skillet, there are explicit references to God and Jesus. Though the musical context covers this tone a little, it could be potentially offensive.
After listening to and reviewing Jonah 33’s 2007 release The Heart of War, hopes for this reviewer were high that the debut would be much stronger. While it’s ever so slightly stronger, it’s still just another heavy rock album, it’s just another Pillar or Disciple. If this is free wherever you buy music, and you’re just craving a heavy rock/post-grunge album, venture to ITunes and purchase this. However, if you have a superior choice, or if it isn’t free, this isn’t the album for you.
