Review Summary: A truly masterful album filled with catchy choruses, guitar-laden verses, and witty; comical lyrics.
There are bands out there where most people know one of their songs, but not even the name of the band. So exists
Eve 6. Even though
Inside Out,
Promise, and
Here's to the Night were gigantic hits, they flew under the radar, undetected by anyone other than the few who were willing to give certain bands a chance. I wasn't really into punk, surfer bands such as
Eve 6, but let me tell you, their sophomore album may have been one of the best albums of the 90s.
Eve 6 was truly a wonderful band; with each new CD they managed to change their sound or add new elements to their music. While
Eve 6's self-titled debut was more pop influenced and
It's All in Your Head was a stripped-down grunge album,
Horroscope manages to add electronica, rock, and pop into a masterpiece for the ears. With instant classics like
Rescue,
On The Roof Again, and
Here's to the Night,
Eve 6 became destined for a die-hard fanbase with their sophomore release.
Horroscope is filled with hard, pop/ska influenced songs such as
Rescue, a harder, noisy, and very catchy rock song that shows lead singer
Max Collins' gift for writing witty lyrics.
Promise was a gigantic hit that featured nice and catchy lyrics, and wonderful guitar riffs. The song is upbeat, and just is groovy.
On The Roof Again is my personal favorite, as the lyrics are very funny (border on
Weezer lyrical humor) and manage to shed light on a break-up. The song manages to take unique electronica influences and mix them with catchy, upbeat guitar riffs and chords. The chorus line is ridiculously catchy as well, and is just hysterical when you first listen to it.
Sunset Strip Bitch is angrier than the rest of the album, but the song just seems like it's mindless angst and not much else.
Amphetamines is a wild, fast-paced song which utilizes good guitar riffs and is carried by the drumming. The song isn't quite as catchy as the rest, but is still a good listen.
Enemy is a catchy, hard rock song which packs a punch of noise and tempo, and while the last harder song on
Horroscope,
Nightmare is rather forgettable and not very catchy,
Horroscope has a whole another element to it, the slower melodic, mood-setting songs; which seem to stand out to me on this album.
Here's to the Night is my favorite downbeat ballad of the album. It's touching, a bit sad, and really takes you on a trip down memory lane every time you hear it. It creates a solemn feeling which keeps you at the brink of crying, but manages to make you feel well at the same time.
Nocturnal is still a fast and loud song, but the lyrics are wonderfully meloncholy and heartfelt. It's catchy, and the guitars on this song just seem to stand out more and more the more I listen to it.
Jet Pack is a slower song that's not wonderfully touching or a ballad, but it manages to add back the wit and comedy that is abundant in
Horroscope.
Bang is another ballad that is a bit louder and faster but has a wonderful chorus that manages to stick out in this album. It's not as if the song is catchy, but the chorus is still spot on.
Girl Eyes adds a bit of atmosphere to this album, and it's the most dreamy, drum-driven song on
Horroscope. Max Collins' vocals are perfect as well on this song as well. It's melodic, and the vocals aren't witty or touching, but the song seems to stand out in it's own way.
All in all
Horroscope is an album that was overlooked mostly because everyone thought they were just another 90s pop rock band.
Eve 6 were masters of hooks, guitar-laden noises. and witty lyrics. They were one of the few bands that could change their sound which each album; and while they only released three albums, they were one of the best bands of the 90s that no one knew.
That sucks. It's All In Your Head is a great album. I didn't care for the s/t though.
