Syndicate - Syndicate
Record Label: Sony Music
Release Date: July 1, 2011
Syndicate have been living the rock and roll fairytale. Their back story reads like this: Five young local rockers pushing along the pub scene, working their craft with fierce, professional desire, are plucked from the throng and whisked off to bustling Los Angeles to work with some of the biggest names in music.
Hailing out of Sydney, they have been working hard over the last two years to get to this release. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with Jeff Blue (Linkin Park, Matchbox 20, Korn, Limp Bizkit, The Last Goodnight), Brandon Friesen (Nickelback, Sum 41, The Music) and Scott Humphrey (Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Andrew WK, The Cult). Inspiration is the key word in the Syndicate rock ethos; such is the reason that they attracted such stars like Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver, Guns and Roses, The Cult), Brent Fitz (Slash, Alice Cooper, Theory of a Deadman), Gil Sharone (Dillinger Escape Plan, Stolen Babies, Puscifer) and Rowan Robertson (DIO) to appear on the album. Their first single, “Shout,” debuted at No. 1 on the physical singles chart and has been back in that position four times.
This is the modern rock album Australia has needed to define their music. It brings a bit of everything that anyone should enjoy; it’s a modern day Bon Jovi. The album starts off with a track name quite unsuited for itself. After hearing "Pushing Me Away," you won't want to even try and push this album away. What a way to start the record off! Later down the track list is their debut single, "Shout." It is what got me to actually buy this album. I thought this band could be onto something. They could be bringing back the ‘80s classic rock/metal scene without even knowing it. Some people don't hear it, but I hear every Bon Jovi album ever released in the 2000s in this album.
I wouldn’t call this album original. But I would call it a trick on your ears, mind and soul. It’s so good, you won’t even care. You could hear every track off this album on the radio and on every talk show around the world performing, well, you name the track - they could do it. Their friendly music comes at a price, though. It has an average lasting value. The lead singer’s voice is crisp, clean and amazing, but the musicianship is average. One thing complements the other, so it’s hard to see where these scores I’m giving are coming from.
Browse Reviews
Write a Review
Alphabetized Listing
Popular Reviews
Best New Music
Follow This Review
More Reviews By This Author