"Hey we got a name on the album cover... That's a positive..."
THE SINGLES:The singles on this album are the titular "Temper, Temper" and "Riot" and I can sum up both of these songs quite simply. The first is hugely testosterone filled romp that is actually quite enjoyable when working out as it'll get you running faster, lifting heavier, and stretching stretchier(?). Either way, it's actually a pretty mindless song talking about how the writer is constantly about to explode never really offering a reasoning behind it. Now for the next single, and probably last on the album, "Riot" has a little bit more fun with it's material but sadly it comes off pretty plain sounding with it's repeating of "RIOT, RIOT" followed by an okay transition line. Sadly, there isn't much more to say for these songs they are just pretty safe radio picks that really offer nothing more than a watered down BFMV sound.
The Album:
The album itself is both a task for me to get through and easy to listen to at the same time. To explain further I'll say that truly listening to "Temper, Temper" is exhausting because a majority of the songs could've been/have been done better by early outings from the band. For example, "Breaking Point" sounds very similar to the band's last album Fever's titular track just done with a tad bit more family friendly sound to it. I hate saying that as the album itself really devolves the band into screaming out lyrics that would make Three Days Grace's Adam Gontier say "Woah that's emo." A perfect example song is "Leech" which describes someone who is exactly as the title states someone who sponges off of others to which I can understand a dislike. I mean, if I worked hard for something(s) and someone was constantly there with their hand out I would be a tad aggravated but, the way he berates the person is just something that needs to be witnessed. He is so angry that to myself this album is almost impossible to listen to. But, I've yet to get to the worst part of the album.
Released in 2006 as a single "Tears Don't Fall" quickly became a hit for the band and skyrocketed their success in the metalcore scene. It was a great example of mixing melodic guitar, pulse pounding drums, and sing/screaming. I will be the first to admit that a vocalist screaming instead of singing, it's just something that I have never found appealing and have liked only in rare occasions. Oddly enough this is definitely one of those rare occasions as the narrative details a guy who loves a girl but can never seem to please her. Eventually because she is always crying and nothing can help he decides to kill her. When put like that it is definitely a messed up song with really a one off meaning as her death signifies the end of the song. But, if you look at it as a couple slowing slipping out of love I can understand the sentiment in the sequel "Tears Don't Fall Pt. 2." But, it still begs the question of what the fuck is wrong with you.
"Your tears don't fall they just make me obsess horribly"
I don't know if BFMV really felt a sequel was what they wanted, it was destined to be that way from conception, or they thought "Hey, we need to throw another song on this album that will make money, what's our most popular song?" This is easily my least favorite track on the album as it takes what the first one did right and tries to copy it to a tee. While most bands will have songs that have sequels or prequels across albums (Metallica, Coheed and Cambria, etc.), they differentiate these songs from each other by either changing the style, key, or even tempo. What BFMV does is say "Screw that! Let's put it in the same key, same timing, and write a little bit angrier lyrics to show why we're still talking about it." I feel this is a complete waste of time, not only withing the confines of the album but because, it actually dampens the name of the original by showing little effort to do anything but make a carbon copy. My final parting words for this sequel-song is that it's best to move on because I DO NOT want to see a part 3 anywhere in the near future.
In all, this album is a pretty big stain on the BFMV name, showcasing a lack of progression in lyrical writing, a lack of depth in musical ability to move in new directions, and what feels like a total cash-in for a band that has flown above and beyond expectations in the past. I mean, Fever was by no means a perfect album but it did showcase and array of song stylings that really pushed BFMV to the front of my mind as a band that could hold their own in the world of heavy metal. Hopefully this is only one bad album and we can expect more from the band's next outing because thanks to low sales, abysmal reviews, and a lack of single support after it's release, it looks like people are finally raising their voices and saying to the musical community "We will not buy your sub-par cash ins."
That's all for this week make sure to tune back in next time for an extra special 20/20 Experience of ROCK D3CODED!
DECODED: 5.0 out of 10
As always please like, share and comment below!
BUY IT: None
HEAR IT: Truth Hurts, Dead To The World, Dirty Little Secret, Temper Temper, Livin' Life (On The Edge of A Knife), Not Invincible
TRASH IT: Breaking Point, P.O.W. Leech, Riot, Saints & Sinners, Tears Don't Fall Pt. 2
*As with all things, the opinions expressed our purely that of the author and should be taken as such.
** All images, music, and information used are for entertainment purposes. No copyright infringement intended.
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