Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Groundbreaking Metal Album of the 90's, January 24, 2000
In Helmet's earlier work one may have not recognized by the guitar riffs and relative simplicity that Page Hamilton earned a master's degree in jazz guitar. On Betty this virtuosity shines through with some of the most complex yet simple composition we may have ever heard in the punk/hardcore/metal genre. In fact we may even say that the distinction between the above mentioned genres have lost their relatively clear distinction from the early 80's due to bands like Helmet, Prong, and Fishbone among others. This places Helmet in a niche of music in the 90's that has carved out its own distinctiveness to the degree that other bands such as Korn, Staind, Incubus, Coal Chamber and others can only try to fill with limited interest and more of a fad-driven success. Thus, although Korn gets too much of the credit, they are hardly original.The new found success of the L.A. metal scene can only find its roots in the breakthroughs of the late eitghties and early nineties post-punk scene of New York city. Helmet is a major player in the establishment of these roots. But what makes them so groundbreaking is the overlay of complex rhythms and complicated chord structures and progressions with the simple crunch of de-tuned riffs that drive the whole project. "Overrated," the opening of "I Know," and the closing of "Milqeutoast" are perfect examples of what I mean here, with the latter almost being reminiscient of something that Allan Holdsworth may have written. The whole thing comes across as very easily accessible to the untrained ear and reveals true brilliance to the musically-trained ear. Few bands can accomplish the difficult task of treading the fine line of complexity and simplicity with originality and accessibility - Helmet perhaps did it better than anyone else. In Betty Helmet truly lets loose and shows us what they can do musically and creatively with taste and talent and they push their own boundaries with the most fearless and beautiful sludge to mosh by. So the educated listeners of the world who found this album to be as extraordinary as I, ought preach the truth to the misguided Korn fans of the world for Helmet is simply that much better (just listen to the tune of the same name on "Meantime.") It is almost a shame that the last album Helmet gave us ("Aftertaste") deviated from the creative turn of Betty. In fact, it was more of an aftertaste than the real brew - a bit stale and bitter, lacking substance, and over-oaked. However, we ought look forward to Page Hamilton's future solo work (and perhaps an interesting collaboration with NIN's fearless production staff?) Alas, we shall see.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
To betty or not to betty, August 25, 2004
There are two types of Helmet fans. Those who think "Betty" is the best work Helmet ever did, and those who think "Betty" is Helmet selling out and becomming too weak.
I fall into the former category. To me, Helmet was on the verge of greatness for a long time, they had their finger on the trigger for years. This is the album in which they finally pulled that trigger. All other Helmet albums sound like a dirty scramble, a ceaseless search for "it".
Betty is "it". The hardcore fans out there will tell you that Betty is too commercial, too pop, too weak, too radio friendly. Maybe this is true, but it depends on your definition of "too".
Considering that the only Helmet single I have ever heard on the radio or MTV isn't even on this album, I choose to disagree with the "hardcore base". Betty is Helmet at its best, it is when Helmet stops making noise and starts making music. this album was on the tip of their tounge for a long time.
If you can listen to the songs Vaccination and Tic and not like them than you are one of two things: Either you don't like metal music at all, in which case you aren't even reading this; or you are so devout to hating anything that might get radio play that you have blinded yourself. I used to be in both categories at one time, I now know good stuff when I hear it. This is good stuff. One of the best CD's ever produced.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favorite Album of All Time, January 16, 2005
I really appreciate the past few reviews given for this album, these were from individuals who understand musical superiority above the common labels and attachments given by critics who take in music at face value. Page commented that he was putting the lab coat on for this album, and that's where this album becomes so honest. Experimentation in the music industry is the most dangerous thing for any artist to do, but at the same time produces the true desires of that artist; this is where the artist has the most fun and doesn't take the results into consideration. Betty is hands down Helmets worst selling album but easily there best. This is a musicians album... the nay-sayers are obviously not true musicians, they are simply disappointed metal-heads and head bangers. Helmet easily could have stuck with the formula for Meantime in an attempt to become more popular and mainstream but fortunatelly they had the presence of mind to enjoy their proffesion instead of abusing it.
Incubus's "Make Yourself", Metallica's "Load", Deftones "White Pony", Shiner's "The Egg", Pearl Jam's "No Code" and Primus's "Brown Album" all challenge these barriers and show what an artist, like them or not, should attempt at some time in there career... play for yourself and not your fans, at least once. Music is very personal to those producing it and unfortunatelly too many artists get negative labels for showing their true colors.
Betty is a brilliant album and it is my hope that even though the ties between Page, Stanier and Bogdan have broken that all three of them are still extemely proud of the outcome of this album regardless of it's sales. Helmet is probably the heaviest music in my catalog, but I own it because it is true music. I can accept criticism of Size Matters and Aftertaste but there is no basis for any cut on Betty. Brilliant! If you are a drummer you are insane if you don't own this album, and if you criticize it please give me an alternative of what you consider true music and I will try to further my explination based on your suggestion.
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