the Heavy Eyes : "Focus"

This is the band's 5th album, so they have a solid grasp of what they are going for here. It opens with a strummed, folksy ballad that slowly unfolds. The vocals are more soulful than most and carry a little brooding to them. The guitar tones have a Western shadow to them. This one does not really hook me, though I can tell they have talent so I keep listening. The fuzz is not fired up until the second song. Even then, there is still not a heavy feel to this, though they are going for a more rock vibe. The vocals are a little too happy; with a huskier vocal apporach it might work better. The drummer and bass player seem to be the most talented members of this band. If it were not for the bass player, this song would not be heavy at all. 

There is a better groove for "It's All Simone," yet another song that owes a great deal to its bass line, as it could easily be more like Hozier in other hands.I mean, I like Hozier for what he is, but I do not think that is what this band is going for. The vocals hold this one back. The drummer tries to get them fired up, and the bass player might be down for it, but the rest of the badn is trying to figure out what is going on. band. By the time it gets ti 'Sarissa," I am having to endure this album more than I am enjoying, yet they are decent musicians; it is just how they are applying these skills. The vocals at this point are annoying me. 

"Corporal Upham" finds the tones gaining more heft, which makes you think that they might get more serious here. If some frat boys tried to make a jam that had a slight Black Sabbath influence, it would also sound like this. However, this might be the album's best song so far, so there might still be hope. I am betting these guys are all really into All Them Witches, which I just reviewed, so it is hard to unhear the similarities. The groove here, however, goes a long way. The title track is more of a boogie than I like my music to dance in. 

The groove for "Greener " works better for me, but it is more of a Kings of Leon vibe. The beer-drinking college kids need something to listen to, and this song is better than most on here. They name-drop Fugazi, but I am not hearing much of that in their music, aside from the occasional bass line. "Words" has the most aggressive feel so far, and it's about as heavy as Pearl Jam when they are not in their more punk mode. The Might Return of "That Cold Goliath" has a better groove than the first time around. 'Holy Envy" closes the album with an oddly more melodic song that feels like it is combining elements of all the bands your average college kid might love; Pink Floyd collides with a more jam band version of the Police. Musically, it is a little moodier, which i can appreciate. Overall, I will give this album an 8.5, as they are good at what they are doing andd the album sounds well crafted it is just not my thing, not dark enough. 

10.2

pst555