FLIPP
Volume

The cover of this album scared me right off the bat. Here we are, faced with a Mudvayne look-alike singer, complete with face paint and horrible haircut, some raver in a furry white hat, Paul Shaffer and some dork with a Mohawk. The fear was teeming up deep inside me, I knew this would be another sickening mall-metal act looking to cash in on teenagers too ignorant to realize metal is not meant to be mixed with hip-hop.

Well, the defining moment is here. I place the CD in the tray and insert. As I look at the sticker on the case, I see it was produced by Art Alexakis of Everclear…surely he would not produce a silly mall-metal act, right?

As I pushed play, I felt my blood begin to heat in the way it does every time I am subjected to a cheap mall-metal act, but then a quality rock guitar riff rang out. This was not a mall-metal band! This was a pop rock band with some actual knowledge of quality guitar riffs.

Filled with shock and relief, I relax and listen to the album and absorb the sound. Clone Me, the first track, comes off enjoyable enough: rock guitar, agreeable vocals and quality sound. Lead vocalist/guitarist Brynn Arens definitely knows how to create a rock sound that is hard nosed, yet not too bitter to swallow.

Added for your pleasure, on the enhanced CD section of the album, is a video for Rock n’ Roll Star, which really comes off as one of the more weak, yet easily digested tracks on the album.

Volume ends up being a relief to me and will be an enjoyable addition to the CD collection for you. It will not play a major role in your rotation, but will definitely help you relax and find some quality riffage in the future.