Caleb Cattivera
06/16/06, 05:16 PM
I hate trying to put House of Heroes to a specific genre. There's no screaming, it's not really emo, if I had to choose, I'd just label them rock and roll. Say No More is a re-release of their self titled album, with two new tracks. The band has toured constantly, working their butts off to support the album. They struggled to get noticed, with the self titled album mainly being available at Christian book stores and some Wal Mart's, yet the band was still able to sell nearly 10,000 copies of the album. This time around, things are a bit different, new cover art, a title, and three brand new songs, along with some added bonuses on the enhanced part of the album, make this one of my albums of the year.
Say No More starts out with the same three songs that began the Self Titled release. Buckets For Bullet Wounds begins the album and sucks you in immiedatley with a somewhat catchy, yet rockish sound. I think I'm so drawn to this album, and this band so quickly because of vocalist Tim Skipper. He honestly, in my opinion, has one of the best voices in music today. Not only on disc, but live, he hits every note the same, if not better than he does on the album. Fast Enough, track two, keeps that rock feel in full swing. The tempo of the song changes from louder to softer in between the verse and the chorus, just when you think the chorus is going to continue along with the verse, a slight pause, and instant rock and roll, with an amazing solo at the end of it. Friday Night slows things down just a bit with a retro feel to it, almost a sixties sounds. Also in this you get a taste of how great this bands harmonies are. Remember the song Big Bang Baby by Stone Temple Pilots? That's what The Invisible Hook reminds me instantly of. It almost sounds like STP got back together, and gave the song a more modern rock feel.
Mercedes Baby is the catchiest track on the album. One time hearing this song, and you'll find yourself singing along. Song six, Serial Sleepers, is easily one of my favorite songs of all time, yes I said all time. Everytime I hear this song, I get goosebumps. It's the hardest, and softest song on the album if you can imagine that. Similar to Fast Enough with a softer verse, but when the chorus comes in and Tim starts belting "Wake the dead", the hair on my arm stands right up. This song ends with one of the most beautiful harmonies I've ever heard. Make a Face... and Metaphor In Parentheses are two other songs from the original album. Make A Face is probably my least favorite track on the album, but I still can't bring myself to skipping over it. Metaphor In Parentheses is such a beautiful song with it's powerful at times, yet soothing at others, guitar playing. Once again, Tim's voice, along with the harmonies really set the tone for this song. The final four songs on this album, are just as amazing as the first eight. Another new song, You Are the Judas of the Cheerleading Squad leads the pack. The best harmonies on the album are heard constantly through out this song. Alot of distortion, with fading vocals, and a great guitar solo near the end of the track, will make this song an instant hit.
I've been listening to this band for over a year now, and you may recall I reviewed the Self Titled album last fall. I wanted to give you guys another chance to read about this band, with the album being more readily available than it has been in the past, I encourage you to pick it up now. If they're coming through your area, be sure to go check them out, you're in for a treat in one of the best live shows I've seen to date. I promise you won't be disappointed with this offering from House of Heroes, and I promise you're going to be hearing alot about this band over the next year.
Say No More starts out with the same three songs that began the Self Titled release. Buckets For Bullet Wounds begins the album and sucks you in immiedatley with a somewhat catchy, yet rockish sound. I think I'm so drawn to this album, and this band so quickly because of vocalist Tim Skipper. He honestly, in my opinion, has one of the best voices in music today. Not only on disc, but live, he hits every note the same, if not better than he does on the album. Fast Enough, track two, keeps that rock feel in full swing. The tempo of the song changes from louder to softer in between the verse and the chorus, just when you think the chorus is going to continue along with the verse, a slight pause, and instant rock and roll, with an amazing solo at the end of it. Friday Night slows things down just a bit with a retro feel to it, almost a sixties sounds. Also in this you get a taste of how great this bands harmonies are. Remember the song Big Bang Baby by Stone Temple Pilots? That's what The Invisible Hook reminds me instantly of. It almost sounds like STP got back together, and gave the song a more modern rock feel.
Mercedes Baby is the catchiest track on the album. One time hearing this song, and you'll find yourself singing along. Song six, Serial Sleepers, is easily one of my favorite songs of all time, yes I said all time. Everytime I hear this song, I get goosebumps. It's the hardest, and softest song on the album if you can imagine that. Similar to Fast Enough with a softer verse, but when the chorus comes in and Tim starts belting "Wake the dead", the hair on my arm stands right up. This song ends with one of the most beautiful harmonies I've ever heard. Make a Face... and Metaphor In Parentheses are two other songs from the original album. Make A Face is probably my least favorite track on the album, but I still can't bring myself to skipping over it. Metaphor In Parentheses is such a beautiful song with it's powerful at times, yet soothing at others, guitar playing. Once again, Tim's voice, along with the harmonies really set the tone for this song. The final four songs on this album, are just as amazing as the first eight. Another new song, You Are the Judas of the Cheerleading Squad leads the pack. The best harmonies on the album are heard constantly through out this song. Alot of distortion, with fading vocals, and a great guitar solo near the end of the track, will make this song an instant hit.
I've been listening to this band for over a year now, and you may recall I reviewed the Self Titled album last fall. I wanted to give you guys another chance to read about this band, with the album being more readily available than it has been in the past, I encourage you to pick it up now. If they're coming through your area, be sure to go check them out, you're in for a treat in one of the best live shows I've seen to date. I promise you won't be disappointed with this offering from House of Heroes, and I promise you're going to be hearing alot about this band over the next year.