Review Summary: Nothing ground breaking here. They kept their simplicity but haven't added anything new to the mix.
Ever since My Darkest Days came to the scene of mainstream rock, they already have gained fans but also have gained a large chunk of haters. They were discovered in the beginning by Chad Kroeger and ever since have seem to be almost a cut and paste of Nickelback's style and seem to sing the same kinds of songs as each other. Whether or not if MDD is doing this on purpose or not but either way they have gained popularity by doing this and it works for them.
Sick And Twisted Affair is their Sophomore attempt on an album, and there isn't anything new in the album compared to their self titled, except for the fact that this album isn't as strong and solid as their first. A few songs including "Sick And Twisted Affairs, Stutter, Nature Of The Beast, and Again" are the real stand outs in the album. As i listened to the album in its entirety I had to hold the booklet to make sure what song I was listening to because so many songs just sound alike in sound and vocals. Most have the same tune in the background as the song is playing which can make it hard to enjoy it as it should.
What I would say would be the best out of this album is the catchy choruses that are in every song, the way that Matt sings that parts somehow keep the songs in your head, and this may become annoying when you only listen to a song for its chorus. The lyrics are extremely cheesy but they somehow work, My Darkest Days are already know for this so its not a surprise that they have continued that tradition. For example in Casual Sex the lyrics are as if a kid going through puberty had written them. Don't get me wrong it works but if your looking for clever lyrics then you need to look at something else. The album tries to influence their "Naughty" type of writing into the lyrics for example "I’m like your dirty little drug
And you never get enough
Just a little bad habit that you hide from your friends
I’m like your dirty little drug
And you never get enough
Said you didn't want it but you're in a sick and twisted affair
You won't be alone tonight
(A sick and twisted affair)
You won't be alone tonight"
Overall this isnt really an improvement its more like another batch of catchy, easy to comprehend songs for the radio to play. My Darkest Days are still who they were from the beginning just without that ego they had from the first album. They sound like and feel like a "little brother" to Nickelback and it sounds like they are going to stay that way, There are a few good songs in the mix, it just feels like the center piece of the album isn't there to tie it all together to make the album whole. In the end the album is a good for what they made it out to be, it supports their style of music so the fans wont be disappointed by this album.
