SECOND LIFE SYNDROME

Well, ill keep it short, there are plenty of reviews here to tell you exactly who Riverside are and exactly what they play. Ill be quick and brutal. This CD is average, at best. For me, personally, i just cant get into this album. The vocals are quiet and monotomus (correct spelling?). The guitar tone doesnt seem to vary much, the bass is basic and the drums do nothing spectacular, and the keyboards are used in exess. The music doesnt seem to vary much in any way whatsoever. Also, id like to note on this not being progressive metal. There is very little actual metal and i personally would classify it as a neo-progressive recording.

The music contained, as previously mentioned, varies very little. These guys are obviously a talented bunch of men - but the music contained seems so boring and flat. Why cant these guys vary their theme a little? Why dont they try some nice chord sequences? No? Ok then, why dont they try to create some slightly up-lifting moments, some peaceful moments? No. They dont. I havent payed much attention to the lyrics but from what i gather, its all death, suicide and the boring, done before "i am depressed" motif that keeps seeming to reccur over and over again throughout the album. Ok, so Pain of Salvation have dark lyrics, and at times dark melodies, but what they can do - unlike Riverside - is change the music tone. PoS contains many up-lifting moments, many ear-freindly chords and dare i say it some "happy" music. This CD is just too damn dark for me, too slow, too boring and samey.

Oh well, thats just me, mabey you are differnet. Overall a 1.5 rounded up for tight musicianship alone.