Review Summary: A one-trick pony of an album performed by a 3rd rate 1980's hair band rip-off. Simple, dull & repetitive.
Some bands suffer a backlash when becoming popular or having a successful hit single. Other bands get criticized for pandering to the mainstream populous. And then there are bands who are hated if they perform dated and derivative music. American band Hinder tick all 3 boxes on their debut album 'Extreme Behavior' and then go looking for more just to annoy us. They really do deserve the negative response they receive!
Right from the opening "Woh Woh's" of lead single and album opener 'Get Stoned', the pattern is clear to see; Hinder perform simple and dull pieces that remind one of a 3rd rate 1980's hair band. The C Graders may have got their 15 minutes of fame back then, but surely they should not a quarter of a century later! There is nothing original here and the semblance of catchiness that comes with it is nothing to write home about at all. Let us not forget the lyrics: “Go home, Get Stoned, Coz the sex is so much better when you’re mad at me”. Criminal... In more ways than one!
Fans of the band must seriously not be actually listening to the lyrics throughout this album. Firstly, the repetitiveness of themes is near unbelievable as almost every song concerns a bad or broken relationship and how the male partner acts in the circumstances. Worldwide smash hit 'Lips Of An Angel' is another great example as this was a song which seemed to be predominantly a hit with the female population. Lord knows how, as this anything but traditional love song seems to be basically condoning infidelity. One band Hinder are often compared to is NickelBack and it is not just because of the bland musicianship, but also the arguably offensive and sexist lyrics which both groups use.
The music performed on this album is so mind-numbingly simple that there is no point even attempting to listen for any kind of variation. This is apparent as early as track 2, the oh so safe 3rd single 'How Long'. It's just the same thing over and over again; Dated soft-rock that embarrassingly begs for radio airplay with only slight changes in pace, as can be seen on the slower 2nd single 'Better Than Me'. There is a reason why Hinder keep on performing the same song over and over though and it can be found on track 7 'Room 21'. The band belatedly try to perform some variety by attempting to make this a genuine rocker. But maybe it was best that they did not try, as they show their true colors here and completely botch it… So badly in fact, that it’s practically difficult to listen to. Penultimate track 'Homecoming Queen' isn't much better.
Looking for positives is tough. Admittedly, there is a kind of a sing-along quality to tracks such as 'Lips Of An Angel' and 'Better Than Me', while some may find a guilty pleasure kind of melody hidden amongst the monotony of 'Nothin Good About Goodbye' and 'Bliss'. Closer 'Shoulda' also bears mentioning as there is an edginess to it which sticks out amongst the rest of this drivel. Then again, that wouldn't at all be difficult and maybe the fact that the listener has finally reached the end of the album is the real positive to it.
This is a one-trick pony of an album. Not because it has only one good song, but it only has one style of music throughout. Hinder would be better off just releasing singles as a few of their songs could work in isolation, but show how dated and repetitive the group is in album format. With there only being 10 tracks, it is apparent there is no depth to Hinder’s catalogue, but it also proves the group’s lack of substance. And whatever variation there is here is minimal, while any experimentation fails miserably.
Recommended Tracks: Lips Of An Angel & Shoulda.
