Review Summary: Colors is an excellent, fresh, and uplifting take on modern hard rock packaged in a Dallas, Texas underground sensation.
You probably have never heard sight nor sound of this band I am currently reviewing. For those who know; I applaud you, and for those who don't, I'd advise you go to iTunes and download this album,
Colors by a little band called Miser. At the moment, this band is a complete nobody, with their lead single, a cover of The Cranberries'
Zombie barely getting airplay in their hometown of Dallas, Texas. But, oh, they deserve so much more than that, as their music is fresh, edgy, and albeit always appealing no matter what type of music you may listen to-as they take a unique infusion of Breaking Benjamin-inspired hard rock, throw in a bit of Nirvana, and top it off with a bit of Evans Blue-inspired vocals. Enter Miser.
Most likely, the band members are celebrating for this review-as they don't even have a Wikipedia page. What a shame. Well, their music isn't completely earth-shattering nor is it completely original; but its fresh, new, 'indie' and raw. There's plenty of recording imperfections in
Colors, but that only makes the album better, as its astonishing that Miser can create such wonderful music with the low-budget they receive to record their music. Their unique hard-edged rock with heavy, melodic hooks is completely appealing all the way around, only to be improved by the lead songwriter, Coach's uplifting, almost Live-like spiritual lyrics and uplifting themes. There is a heavy emphasis on variety, as the songs all hold up on their own well, focusing heavily on changing the sound each song, instead of riding the wave of one hook-filled song structure.
But it's not perfect, and shows plenty of imperfections; you still have to remember this is a debut album, and a highly 'independent' one at that. The only song receiving moderate airplay, their cover of The Cranberries'
Zombie gives off false impressions of the band, as their cover shows no signs of variety, and quite simply, Miser didn't make it their own-as its not really much different than The Cranberries original, but with a different voice. The guitar work is identical, and the song gives off the same atmosphere, in fact, I assumed it was either a Reprise of the original, or a The Cranberries tribute band. But it was neither, it was a lackluster cover. The only other issue with
Colors would have to be the song
Turn Around which sounds a lot like the typical mindless mainstream radio fodder on every New Rock station across the country; and this scares me, because I really don't want Miser to follow the route
Turn Around lays down for them.
Outside of a few minor problems,
Colors is an otherwise spotless debut album.
Zen is excellent, heavy, and the lead singer wails like Evans Blue's lead singer Peter Matisyn, which is a big plus.
Release Me is another great song, as the chorus is melodic, fun, catchy, and has an uplifting message behind it. The song
Monkey is just plain addicting, and reeks of greatness. The song slowly kicks into action with a slower, atmospheric verse, before it breaks into a catchy, yet simplistic chorus that makes the song a standout.
Stars is probably the best song on the album, as it starts off with a more melodic, slow approach with a simplistic, echoing guitar riff before it breaks up into a perfect, meaningful, and thought-provoking chorus that makes the song an immediate classic upon first listen.
Easily, Miser is one truly stunning 'home-grown' band with an amazingly great debut album. Showing off a bit more originality, structure, and variety than prototypical Hard Rock bands like Breaking Benjamin and Taproot,
Colors comes off as a truly promising album that has easily let Miser develop an underground following, and it just might allow Miser to be a big hit in the future. If you'll throw away stereotypes surrounding Mainstream Hard Rock, you'll find an original, fresh, and fun underground sensation. Miser is definately destined for greatness-so you'd best watch out for them in the future.
DOWNLOAD:
Zen
Release Me
Monkey
Stars
