Review Summary: 90's: An era of rock that was shot down too quick. This album simply embodies that time, the grungy and beautiful aspects of the rock music then.
When I am presented with a question like “What do you remember most about your childhood” I am almost instantly poised to say the music. I grew up in the 90's and early 2000's and remember a little, but not a lot. What I do remember, though is almost always the musical choice. Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Creed, Bush, Green Day, Blind Melon, Stone Temple Pilots, and Soundgarden where all members of the elite musical force that my Mom would play me. I love her eternally for that (with the exception of Creed and Bush). However, I am quite pissed at her for not caring enough about music to look deep in the underground scenes at that time, because of her I only found out about this album this year.
I really can't blame her, this album is the debut album from a band in the Portugal rock scene. As far as debut's go, I'm sure there are more glamorous ones, but I wouldn't have this album be at all glamorous in fear that it might corrupt the sound. Trigger is produced by Ronnie S. Champagne, a producer that also had hands in albums from bands like Jane's Addiction and Alice in Chains. I don't know whether or not this is a contributing factor to the sound of the overall record, but if it is I want to have that man in my embrace and thank him kindly for what he helped create. The drums given just that right about of reverb on them to create a larger atmosphere. The bass pronounced. And the guitar tracks have the standard 90s-esque sound, all the effected and clean riffs coming together in a very dirty purity. Which leaves only the voice. Blind Zero's singer is, in my mind, a combination of imperfect perfect English coated with the proper distorted notes. Grungy and Boastful, what every singer at that time should have embodied.
Each song on this album is a gem of the passed era of grunge, but it's the meanings we get out of songs that make them truly special to us. And there are vivid messages or thoughts that a couple of these tracks put in my mind, they are my favorite tracks:
1. Into The Mystic: When I listened to this track for the first time I expected some sort of funk infused song, but instead I am hit by the distorted word “down” that would send this tune straight to grunge town. The words “down deep you go, into the mystic” sparks the idea of stepping foot into something unknown, taking a risk, no turning back. What's done is done and at the end of it we may all be “hanging on farewell”. Like the exploration of love.
And 2. Amen: All I can think of when listening to this track is the total lack of hope. A man torn and tired from living a life of turmoil. So run down that the only thing he has left to his name is the false idea of a salvation. In his mind he hears a preacher saying over and over “Amen”. A word that curses him and tries to pull him in as if it could save him from it all. A blackened, sick heart looking for a cure.
These are, out of an album of great songs, my favorites. I need to get all the CD's from this band, that was my first reaction and is still my reaction. I could only hope that they are all this good. If you are a fan of grunge or were and are looking for a good throw back, wanting to revisit the good times then definitely find this album and give it a once through. I was shocked that it wasn't already up here, not even the band was listed. So I got to post a band, an album, and even got to write my first review. I find this to be a win for me, the review probably could be better, but practice makes perfect as they say.
Thank you for reading.
Listen On and Beard It Up!
