Godsmack - Awake
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Free Music Notes for Awake
Free Music Review: Who's saying Godsmack is an AIC ripoff?
Hit: 5 Stars
I don't get the Alice in Chains thing at all, personally. I haven't heard one AIC album that sounds as heavy as "Awake." Sully is about 3 miles away from sounding like Layne Staley or Jerry Cantrell. I will admit: This is the only Godsmack album I own, but I have heard their debut a few times and their current radio singles. This has some really really strong songs on it, and it's a damn shame they played only the title track from it on their last tour. "Sick of Life" slams with its sludgy down tuned-open chord riff. This song is probably the heaviest tune I've heard from these guys and it was an essential choice to open with. The lead single, "Awake," is one of the best songs Godsmack has ever written. What drives it, and all of Godsmack's best songs, are the pounding drums and the crash cymbals. The riffs aren't fast, the guitar solos aren't very notey. Without a good rhythm section, admittedly, Godsmack probably wouldn't have gotten to the level they're at. The break down with its open E chugging riff is strictly for metal-heads to head-bang and mosh to and is a very very welcome addition to the song. "Greed" is a catchy song, lyrically and musically. The chorus of the song makes it for me. "Bad Magick" might be the worst song on the album, but it isn't a bad song. I think it's better than a lot of stuff other "Nu-Metal" bands have written. "Goin' Down" is a welcome change-of-pace and, quite frankly, doesn't really fit with the rest of the record. It's a killer song all right, but its overall feel is much more that of straight-forward hard rock and less heavy metal. It works however and it sounds phenomenal. "Mistakes" was my favorite song for a long time from the album. Catchy main riff, great drum beat, some moody singing from Sully, and a Tool-esque bridge section all create a great dark sound that Godsmack pulls off so well. In fact, while it isn't much, this song is probably the most progressive song I've heard from these guys. The song ends with a creepy fade-in to "Trippin'" which is overall relatively standard Godsmack fare except for the...well...trippy bridge section followed by one of Tony Rambola's best guitar solos. "Forgive Me" is another catchy-ass song on an album chock-full of them. Its outro riff is really quite awesome and unlike anything else on the disc simply because it actually has some palm-muting in it. "Vampires" follows, and it is immediately clear why their fans love the song so much. Its heavy as Hell and is, once again, freakin' CATCHY! The album is ended by "The Journey/Spiral," which, sad to say, I do not see greatness in. I take back what I said earlier, this song is the worst on the disc. Despite a poor conclusion, "Awake" does not leave the listener with a sour taste whatsoever. I was quite frankly amazed when I first heard this disc how awesome it was because, again, Godsmack is a "Nu-metal" band, and I don't like a lot of the bands w/ that label. Not everyone will like Godsmack, but I recommend giving them a shot. You might be pleasantly surprised.Free Music Review: Anger never stops selling
Hit: 5 Stars
In an age of over-production, few bands stick to the old mantra of "less is more." In recent times it's become abundantly odvious that bands sound nothing like they do on a CD when performing live. Capturing the energy and intensity of a live performance on a CD is by no means easy, but it's something Godsmack does undeniably well. And it's with this, the group's second studio record, that they top their seemingly untoppable debut CD. As much as I like the debut I like this more. This CD flows as one, something the debut was lacking. Each song is set up perfectly for the next.
The CD starts off with Sick Of Life. A power-packed opener which accurately depicts what the overall mood of the CD will be, which is some of the best hard rock you'll be hearing on the radio any time soon. The following two tracks are tracks everybody has heard, Awake and Greed, I need not say more. The CD then picks up with the only disappointing song on here and even it's listenable, Bad Magick. Goin' Down, Mistakes, Trippin', and Forgive Me is a line-up like no other. It's safe to say that the CD picks up half way through, and once it reaches Goin' Down you're in for quite a ride. Goin' Down is very good but is easily surpassed by Mistakes. Mistakes consists of two verses, nothing else except some very good jamming. The lyrics are also at a high-point on this song as well. Trippin' and Forgive Me are songs that flow into each other perfectly, each song being totally different. Vampires and The Journey are instrumental tracks but should not be passed over. Vampires has an amazing beat and is easily the best beat on the CD. The disc concludes with Spiral. This is a noteworthy track simply because it's so unlike the rest of the CD. Sully takes it down and actually sings his lyrics and the band keeps it down as well. Definitely a worthy ending to an astonishing CD.
Some of the best songs on here are Sick Of Life, Mistakes, Trippin', Forgive Me, and Goin' Down. I'm sure people will disagree with my statement of this being Godsmack's best, but you do have to admit that there is at least one song on here that you like. It's not unlike any of their other singles, they're one in the same actually, but the depth shown throughout this release is amazing. I know not everybody likes Godsmack so I wouldn't recommend this particular release to just anybody, but mainly a fan of Godsmack.
Free Music Review: For My Second Review...
Hit: 5 Stars
I already reviewed this one way back when, but...it deserves another visit. Godsmack's Awake is NOT a masterpiece by any means. A masterpiece would be something in the vein of U2's The Joshua Tree, Sepultura's Arise, Fear Factory's Demanufacture, or Incubus's S.C.I.E.N.C.E. Awake doesn't have that 'desert island' quality to it. The songs are very simple in structure and lack lyrically. Repetition of riffs is everywhere. Nothing new, exciting, or groundbreaking occurs from cover to cover, BUT......somehow, this album is my favorite metal album of all time. Godsmack took everything about their wonderful debut and pushed each to its own limit, improving everywhere and everything. This album brings back so many old-school metal memories in an age of Drowning Pools and KoRns, that it feels like you're there. Solos galore, thumping + thunderous bass riffage, haunting tribal drumming, and a vocalist that leaves you quaking in your booties without him actually screaming once. This album has sheer power and flowing melody. This album is GREAT.
Many people knock-off Godsmack as an Alice-In-Chains ripoff, a corporate nu-metal band, or mall-metal wannabes. They are not. This album proves it. When "Awake" premiered in Fall 2000, my life was changed forever as I saw a perfect song become released. There is nothing left to discuss about that. The shining points on this album are "Greed," another radio staple, with an infectious riff and wickedly catchy chorus; "Trippin'" with its incredible sludgy solo; "Vampires," an eerie instrumental song with 3 distinct movements and a voice in the background; and "Spiral," an Egyptian-sounding tribal closer similar to "Voodoo," but lacking its charm. Too bad.
Don't buy into trends and the mindless comments of others. This album is not a masterpiece, but is almost there. Maybe you'll think so, but you have to experience it first. It is surprisingly clean despite its PA sticker, and also a necessity if you want a first step into the world of REAL metal. I give you...
Godsmack's AWAKE.
Free Music Review: 5 Stars!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I really, really, really like Godsmack. Even though this album wasn't as popular as their first, self-entitled one, I like this disc more. The Smack is borderline metal, many of these songs, especially on the beginning few tracks, boom boom boom. Hard guitars, drums and a strong (snarling might be a little overboard) voice.
I pretty much like every aspect of this band: a good, strong, manly voice and a guitarist that is among the top ten for modern bands, are the main points. "Vampires", "Mistakes", and "Sick of Life" are the best instrument performance. "Vampires" is just great, it won an award for best instruments.
I also like the lyrics. They are dark and may be ghoulish, be still good. "Mistakes" and "Vampires" have a recorded voice on the song, which is smart. Godsmack's lyrics are primarily concerned with witchcraft and suicide, but that's okay, that's just the way they are. Sully was born in Boston, in a witch family, so that was the way he was raised, explaining the witch parts of the lyrics.
This album is one that is almost perfect, granted- the first one was a little more diverse. The lyrics are kind of repetitive-not saying #'s 1-11 have the same lyrics but some songs repeat themselves.
But, I like every song on this C.D. with an exeption of "The Journey", a song which is less than a minute and may be an interlude or a lead in to the last song, "The Spiral."
Sully says something along the lines of "You won't hear any techno or rap, just good loud music" on godsmack.com, which is definately the truth. But, similar sounds are very rare on this disc.
This is not only good-'n-loud, but also very musical. Look at "The Spiral", it has rattles on it. Man, this is good stuff.
These guys rock, I can't wait for their third album.
Free Music Review: The essence of metal...here
Hit: 5 Stars
~Of all those bands out there, playing all their music on stage. Godsmack is definitely an easy sound to distinguish from the others, with the vocals growling and funeral-like sound, the heavy chugging guitars and bass, and stylish drumming.Yup, this is one amazing cd. Although all the songs sound really similar, each have it's own special parts to distinguish from. Standout tracks on this record are "Greed" "Awake" "Goin'Down" and the really interesting instrumental~~ "Vampires".
The volume builds up slowly with the first track "Sick Of Life", first with light cymbals from the drums, then a mysterious bass line, with a big ol' scream, it reaches full volume. And it maintains that for almost the whole cd. The single "Awake" has a catchy tune that stays in your head followed by "Greed" with a very memorable guitar riff.
"Bad Magick" tends to be a little more melodic than the others, yet heavy, features an interesting bridge that stays~~ in your head for a really long time. "Goin' Down" features a mysterious bass intro then suddenly the loud chugging of the guitars come in with the wah pedal.
"Mistakes" "Trippin'" and "Forgive Me" are another one-two-three punch, although they don't feature really catchy tunes. Then the instrumental "Vampires" features someone in the background talking about them, it's the most unique song in this album. "The Journey" is a short 47 seconds intro to the concluding~~ track "Spiral" with ends the album.
This is a must get for any hard rock fan, you may not get into it at first, but their music would definitely grow on you after a few listens.~