Review Summary: A review of alternative band Nothing More's self-titled album.
The first song that came to my ears by Nothing More was “Mr. MTV”. The alternative metal style surrounding it brought something surprisingly fresh. That eventually leading me to one of the best albums I’ve listened to. Lead singer, Jonny Hawkins, showing some displaying incredible ranges and a creative vocal style. Nothing More brings a lot of interesting synths into their music with certain tracks like “This Is The Time (Ballast)” and “Take a Bullet”.
The subject matter which influences Nothing More’s sound appear obvious in their music. “Christ Copyright” bringing the subjects of religion and politics. “God Went North” tackling the subject of watching a love one dying and suffer, begging God to save them or end the suffering. One of the more generic but still likable tracks, “The Matthew Effect”, giving the metaphorical middle finger to the over privileged.
Tracks like “Friendly Fire” and “Take a Bullet” certainly seem to be some of the heavier tracks from the album. Both of their choruses are simple, but gives this album a rest from the more complex messages from tracks like “Mr. MTV”. The instrumentals being what stands out the best in both of these. Seeming to stand out more than even Hawkin’s singing.
There seems to be the cliché, generic tracks like “First Punch”, “Here’s To The Heartache”, and “Sex & Lies”. They still fit the album well and have a catchy sense about them, but they fit in with the overdone and overrated themes that are used by many other bands. There are several tracks that are really unnecessary like “Gyre”, “Surface Flames”, and “Pyre”. Some may say that “Ocean Floor” also belonged in this category, however that particular track is a great opener for “This Is The Time”. “Surface Flames” was just a remix of “Friendly Fire” and seemed like just filler.
“Pyre” seemed extremely unnecessary and a waste of time. It ending the album seemed like a bad move on the band’s end. It was nearly ten minutes long and comprised of atmospheric sounds and samples from the other tracks. “God Went North” would’ve have been a better track to end this album. The meaningful message and the transition of Hawkin’s vocals and the band’s instrumentals throughout the song were perfect.
Nothing More’s self-titled effort has seeded them out from other modern alternative bands. Their instrumentals and use of synths greatly seen in many of their tracks. Hawkin’s voice taking the show in certain tracks like “This Is The Time” and “Mr. MTV”. I have no doubt that Nothing More has the potential to be one of the most enduring music acts for years to come.
