THE QUIET OFFSPRING

Is it Green Carnation going Dream Theater, or are they just running out of ideas? I'll go with the latter, because the former is much more of a shameful venture. It's a lot like Blessing in Disguise, only less idiosyncratic, less shocking, louder, harder-edged, and more 'radio hard rock/octane metal for the late 1990's headbangers' sort of package. The title track's heavy one-two punch skip riff may be one of the band's best (it's not a long list of riffs that's in their possession, either). I don't care for the softer elements because it seems as if they didn't put any time into writing them into the metal segments, and who needs poorly written soft rock in between your poorly written hard rock? IF you're Tom Petty, you can come out on top with a rousing pop anthem, but where's Green Carnation's American Girl? Don't tell me it's 'Just When You Think it's Safe', which oozes post-stoner rock driving mentality. I hate it when bands have a nice rocking riff and then think it's fine to cut the riff out completely in favor of bass guitar and the singer, like they do on 'Between the Gentle Small'. I'll admit he can sing with conviction, and they aren't worthless by far.

This album is fun, it's not deep or introspective or brimming with creativity, it's just got some neat riffs and a couple vocal hooks worth checking out. 'Purple Door, Pitch Black' balances the melancholy with the upbeat (and more unnecessary synth backing washes) for a real ear-splitting engagement. 'Child's Play I and II' return to the directionless quietness of yore, but it sort of falls flat. Can you tell they/he hasn't had much experience with that sort of folk music? I sure can. I'm glad everything gets fixed in 2006.

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