Review Summary: HURT returns with a third full length album that hits harder and cuts deeper without losing the originality that was shown in their first two albums, and showcases each member's raw talent, losing a lot of the effects and post-processing that plagued Volu
California-based band HURT is back again with their third full-length album entitled 'Volume II'. As a whole, this album certainly capitalizes on the unique sound that HURT has had since the beginning. The band as a whole has seemed to become comfortable with themselves, and it shows. I was simply expecting this album to sound like the band's previous albums, but this couldn't have been farther from the truth.
The album opens with nothing but the simple sound of rain, and a progressive acoustic guitar riff. This album seems to pick up right where Volume I left off. The first track, entitled 'Summers Lost', is an epic 6-minute track that simply kills with a crazy and chaotic twist four minutes into it that will leave you breathless.
Continuing after 'Summers Lost' is the first single entitled 'Ten Ton Brick'. This is where the album begins to take shape, and you hear some of the new sound of HURT. It is a heavy track with more standard structure that you would expect from any other radio-friendly track, but with the elements of HURT still attached to it. Another thing I really enjoyed about this track is the fact that it progresses right back into the ambient, melodic sound that encompasses the album as a whole.
'Ten Ton Brick' leads straight into a track called 'Aftermath', which brings you back down with an acoustic riff that seems to add to 'Ten Ton Brick'. When I first listened to the album all the way through, I had no idea this was a new track. A little before half-way through, you can really hear lead vocalist J Loren Wince break out of his shell. He steers away from the am-radio filter and is very raw, and it is showcased in this track. It builds up with intense vocals into the next track, 'Abuse of SID'. I hate to say it, but this is where I tend to drown out the album. The same thing happened to me with Volume I; I simply lose interest. It isn't all good. 'Abuse of SID' is a pretty generic track in my opinion. However, my ears perk up again when I hear the intense and creepy opening to 'Alone with the Sea'.
'Alone with the Sea' is actually a re-record of a track from their first LP, as is 'Loaded' and 'Et Al.' These tracks are definitely a showcase of the band's evolution over the years, but we will get to them later. 'Alone with the Sea' uses more interesting elements, including a banjo and other string instruments. It ends perfectly with a hard-hitting message from J, singing "There's no more beauty in this world."
'Talking to God' is the next track on the album, which is the only track I am conflicted on. Lyrically, it is a very hard-hitting track. During the chorus, J asks the question "How can you talk to God / When you won't talk to me." Paul Spatola is able to showcase his talents in this song with a great solo guitar bit and some more at the close of the track. It is a strong, radio friendly track that I would predict is the next single.
'Loaded' goes back to showcasing each of the member's talents, using the more organic, raw talent as opposed to heavily filtered sounds. The drums are tight and quick, and there are guitar riffs all over the place. J keeps away from his treasure chest of voice effects and his vocal range is definitely shown in this song. If I had to pick one track that showcased all the talents of HURT, this track would be it. It contains every element of HURT in one neat package, and it works.
The album's ending five are just as strong as the previous tracks on the album. 'Better' opens with quiet vocals and a guitar riff, but builds up quickly into a track that puts forward a sound of desperation and sadness that is felt right away with lines like "Cause they say it gets better / Right before it gets worse" and "I used to make you feel better / But now it just hurts...". The track speeds up towards the end and showcases a guitar solo with very loud vocals. It certainly closes the track well. 'Assurance' is the next track on the album, which is fairly standard. It is not boring by any means; but it simply does not stand out as much as the rest of the tracks do. It is, however, a good lead-in to 'On The Radio'. This track is decent, using more strings and a fiddle at the close of the track. It also is great at showcasing the talent of Joshua Ansley, the bass player.
'Et Al' is another track that is a re-record of the first album from HURT, 'The Consumation'. This track is great to start the close of the album. It comes back to the original elements of HURT without seeming like a break in the album, or 'out of place', which is what is most impressive about this album. The end of the track uses a very unique sounding instrument that I cannot quite put my finger on; I am told it is a 'Dobro'.
'Thank You For Listening' closes out the album. It uses elements that we have never heard from HURT before; saving the best for last, if you will. Excellent guitar work, great build up, overall a great way to end this magnificent album.
The growth and evolution of HURT's sound is shown to it's full potential in Volume II. Volume II may be the capstone of HURT's career, and if it is, they certainly could not have done better. If you are new to HURT, I suggest listening to Volume I before this record to see for yourself how much they have grown. This album will not disappoint any veteran to HURT's music, it will certainly be in my CD player for a very long time.
