Amazing Device "The Quiet Room" CD
[Tribunal]
This isn't nu-metal, but it is radio friendly as hell. I don't know what I'd compare it to, but it sounds like something I'd hear on the radio or MTV2 or something like that. I guess maybe you'd call it heavy "alternative rock" or something these days. Ironically, I like this a lot better than most of the stuff on Tribunal that I've heard, because it's got a decent recording, the layout is fine, and the songwriting is memorable. It's not original, and it's not something that I'd normally be interested in per se, but if the songs are good, I'll listen to it. And these are fairly simple, straightforward, catchy songs. Some of the vocals and vocal harmonies are definitely reminiscent of Mike Patton's early work in Faith No More, though obviously not as over the top, and there's a nasally sort of ring to the singing that also brings Glassjaw to mind, but the music isn't as abrasive as some of Glassjaw's work. There's a lot of vocal and guitar layering, it's fairly constantly melodic, and there are plenty of catchy choruses going on. It's sort of heavy, it's not ultra poppy... I don't know. Mix a little new Cave In with some Glassjaw and something a bit more mainstream oriented and the result would be close to what you've got here. The production is pretty damn good. It's not super polished like these types of bands sound when they're on major labels, but it's pretty close. I think the biggest problem is possibly the mastering, because it sounds like the levels are compressed like crazy to the point where things max out to a level of light distortion at times, but maybe that's just a weird sheen to the guitar tone? I can't tell. All I know is that the drums sound pretty good, the bass sounds great, and the vocals sound fine by me. The only issues I have are that some of the cymbals can be sort of thin, and I also think that the guitars need a more consistent presence as far as volume and density. Consistency with the recording is the key "setback" here (to a small degree), because when all of the layering drops out it can get flat, and the tones vary in some of the tracks, becoming less effective. They're on the right path though, that's certain. And I like the layout. It's sort of funny because it even looks sort of like a big major label alternative/hard rock band's CD or something (especially the band photos), I mean, shit, they list credits for models, stylists, makeup, etc. But it looks really professional and clean. They don't include any lyrics or anything, but all of the photos and textures are pretty eye-catching. I'd be more than willing to give this a higher rating if the mastering and the mix was smoother across the board and made for a fluid listen. I'd almost put money on this band getting pretty god damn popular and hopping to a larger label in the future. I almost never listen to the radio, but this sounds very similar, but better, than most of what I tend to hear when forced to pick a radio station over my personal collection. Not bad. (6/10)
Running time - 28:49, Tracks: 9
[Notable tracks: Secret, Speak Up, Loss and Recovery]
Tribunal Records - http://www.tribunalrecords.net

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