|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
Rise:
Posing as Human
Perhaps a better title for this album, by the Scottish group Rise, would be Posing as Musicians. Okay, maybe thats a little harsh. Its not really the musicianship and skill that is lacking in this case. Its that good taste that has called in sick on Rises new album. Maybe I just dont understand, but honestly, this album is the strangest mish-mash of randomness and poor taste that I have heard in a long time. Posing as Humans songs portray a wide range of styles, so theres no lack of variety. Unfortunately, cohesiveness is a problem. The album starts out with Dont Stop the World, an adult contemp-ish piece with an odd Scottish flare. Thirteen songs later, Rise has offered up folk tunes with political and historical themes, strangely epic love tales, and Top 40-style country. What Ive just described doesnt sound that unreasonable, but maybe I havent emphasized enough the Scottish elements that are present in most songs on Posing as Human. It just makes me feel like a poseur. The Scottish music in its more traditional form must be incredibly moving, but here it feels like a gimmick intended to enhance the music. I feel contrarily, though, that it detracts from the album as a whole. In this instance, the mixing of genres feels less like innovation and more like embarrassing bastardization. Rise is making the kind of music to which people obsessed with The Lord of the Rings must listen. It scares me.
About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2003. All rights reserved. |
