10 Years in a band based from Knoxville, TN. 10 Years formed three years ago and independently released a full length CD, Killing All That Holds You. In 2005 10 Years was signed to major label, Republic/Universal Records. They released their debut, major label CD The Autumn Effect in August of 2005. They have a style of music that is very emotional, and can be compared to bands like Tool and Breaking Benjamin.
Line up:
Jesse Hasek - Vocals
Ryan 'Tater' Johnson - Guitars
Matt Wantland - Guitars
Brian Vodinh - Drums
Lewis Cosby - Bass
1. Waking Up (3:13) - Waking Up opens up with what seems to be a clip from the song then it sounds like a tape rewinding and the song starts. The first few seconds of the song is a nice clean guitar backed by slight bass and some drums. Then the rest of the band comes in for a distorted bit then back to the intro riff for the verse. Jesse's soft toned voice is comforting during the verse. Then it goes into the chorus and listeners get to hear for the first time the strength of vocalist Hasek's voice. With the line 'Are you there? Can you hear me?' they seem to be calling out to someone. This is a great way to open up a debut CD.
5/5
2. Fault Line (3:50) - This song opens up with a nice bass line, which stops for the rest of the band to come in for the verse. The verse once again is clean, but has a great sound to it. The pre-chours is simply 'Killing all that holds you' then into the chorus. Jesse also does a great vocal job on this song as well.
3.5/5
3. The Recipe (3:36) - One of my personal favorites off the CD. It opens up with clean guitar and a bit from Jesse, then they come in heavy. The verse has a catchy feel to it, with a palm muted riff accompanied by a higher guitar. Into the chorus, which also has a nice feel to it. The bridge is, in my opinion, the best part of the song. "Distance is safer than trust. Honestly honesty's a fable in love. Calloused, shedding skin I start to grin as malice becomes my fuel.' is a wonderful line to set the theme of the song which is described as the band as lust with random people can atrophy at the ability to love whole-heartedly.
5/5
4. Cast it Out (5:35) - Cast it Out opens up with Jesse singing what will be the chorus of the song with just a single guitar backing him up. The rest of the band comes in for the verse. Jesse's voice seems to carry this song as well. The song seems to end around the 3:10 mark as the guitar fades out, but then a clean guitar picks up alone. A single guitar plays for a bit then a slightly distorted guitar comes in with some slides, all the while the clean guitar still hammering away. This part of the song is simply amazing and can only be described with one word...Beautiful. Even though there is no vocals in this bit, you can still feel the strength in the music which is a factor that really makes this band/song stand out.
4.5/5
5. Wasteland (3:49) - The first single off of The Autumn Effect opens up with once again a lone, clean guitar and Jesse then soon the distortion begins and the song really kicks off. Jesse really shines in the verse, ranging from soft whispers to strong yells. The chorus is still distorted yet melodic. The bridge picks up and is heavier than the rest of the song. Everything stops for the intro riff again and then again into the chorus. This strong also has a strong feel to it, and is a smart choice as the bands first single.
5/5
6. Seasons to Cycles (3:52) - Seasons to Cycles is the only acoustic song off this CD, but I don't think they could have done it any better. "Our lives, you build your walls for me to climb. A billion walls for me to climb" makes the theme of the song clear, people building walls around themselves to seal them off from everyone else. About halfway into the song a string section comes in to help add to the song. This song is also a very beautiful one.
4.5/5
7. Half Life (4:16) - It starts out with some guitar feedback and a nice drum line. Jesse comes in strong singing the chorus to this song. The verse is much like the intro with a guitar holding out a few notes into feedback. The bridge is well done with a pounding guitar and soft vocals. One more chorus then to the outro with Jesse singing "The smell of her, thrill of her, fruit of her, use of her" a few times to end the song.
4/5
8. Through the Iris (5:41) - This is a well done, great song. It opens up with clean guitar, then everyone else joins in. The verse starts off slow then picks up with Jesse once again showing off his wonderful vocal skills, as he does in the chorus as well. This song seems to be about lost love or something of that sort. Once again the band fools you into thinking the song is done, then they go into one more beautiful guitar/bass segment.
4.5/5
9. Empires (2:41) - This a faster paced song, with drilling guitar and heavy drums. This song is said to be about how people rely on material possessions to satisfy life's needs. All in all this is a good song.
3/5
10. Prey (3:01) - Prey opens up with some heavy guitar. Things slow down for the verse then pick up again for the chorus where Jesse, yet once again, astounds me. This song is really pulled together by all angles.
5/5
11. Insects (4:21) - Insects starts off with some eerie guitar sounds. The bass carries some weight in the verse. This song is more of the melodic type, but well done at that. Tater and Wantland really show their array of effects in this song, which picks the overall up a bit. Another great piece of music by 10 Years.
4/5
12. Paralyzing Kings (3:49) - This is one of the first 10 Years songs I heard and love it each time I hear it. The verse is slow paced but melodic and the chorus is very strong on all ends. They carry out their ability to prove themselves on a lyrical level as well. They once again impress me.
4.5/5
13. The Autumn Effect (9:32) - Amazing...plain and simple. The best song on the CD. It opens up with some beautiful guitar and vocals. It jumps into the chorus with pounding guitar and great vocals. They carry this out for the rest of the song and the song seems to end at around 4:15, but it goes into another piece of eerie sounds and some sort of volume swell. This goes on for a bit then it starts to fade out and a guitar fades in. Jesse sings a line or two then the guitar continues on. In the background you can hear Jesse singing what seems to be "Running away" and possibly something else, I'm not sure on that one though. That goes on for little then a few more sounds and everything stops and fades out. This song is a wonderful song, a piece of art. They couldn't have ended the CD in a better way.
5/5
10 Years did an absolutely amazing job on their first major label debut. Jesse's vocals are incredibly powerful and the guitars are wonderful in every which way. Drummer Brian Vodinh holds his own and also contributes a lot to the band. Every member of this band is a stellar musician and they all come together to produce great, emotional music. With every song comes a strong feeling that grabs a hold of the listener and doesn't let go. This is a must have CD for all of you alternative rock fans out there.
I give this CD an over all of 4.5/5
