Review Summary: Skillet makes a solid outing that shows a small, but present, progression from the band.
Awake is an album that has gotten very mixed reviews from across the board. Whereas
Comatose, was universally liked, their follow-up is a different story. With most of the positive reviews coming from the CCM scene and most of the negative coming from the secular side, it's easy to get a little confused. But as the saying goes, the truth is usually in the middle.
Though not terrible, it's easy to notice that
Awake is very lacking in some areas. For example, there are probably twice the amount of ballads and crossover songs on the record versus
Comatose. While this doesn't automatically bring it down, they could of at least done them right. For example, "One Day Too Late" and "Should've When You Could've" are strikingly similar and ultimately offer nothing to the disc. Lyrics-wise, the album is also defficient. In short, the album is lacking a lot. However, that doesn't stop it from rocking your socks off at times.
Highlight tracks from
Awake include "Awake and Alive," "Sometimes," and "Believe." "Lucy" might also appeal to those looking for a good, ballad-like ending to an album. Also notable is "Forgiven," which makes good use of piano and strings, and "Monster," which is heavy rock done right, albeit it is a little repetitive. "Should've When You Could've" is the only track die-hard fans should skip. It's purely filler and doesn't offer anything all that good, even as crossover songs go.
Still, it's obvious that
Awake is an album for the fans and let's face it, the mainstream (I picked this up at my local Wal-Mart), and by those standards it's a passable release. While musical elitists will probably be less than satisfied with it, those of us who are admittedly fans of the band will enjoy it, if on a lesser level than their career highlight
Comatose.
Pros:
-Similar in style to Comatose
-Good rockers
-Addition of new drummer, Jen Ledger
Cons:
-Less usage of strings
-Ballads are lacking
-Little progression
