Customer Reviews

Development

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Nonpoint has become a recent favorite group of mine because of their sound and some of the great music that they wrote on their first release "Statement". With this second release, the group sounds more mature and seems to write a record that uses their music to explain the various phases of human life. The way the tracks are written, titled, and ordered on the CD speak greatly to this observation.

Some people say that the CD is darker, but I didn't find any real prevalent darkness in their music. The subject matter was far more intelligent than those covered by other CURRENT rock groups of their kind and is greatly done by Elias Soreano and company. Keep the good stuff coming, Nonpoint.

Nonpoint have done it. Not only did they kill Nu-metal with this album, but they found their own sound. Their previous albums Seperate Yourself, Struggle, and Statement were all early chapters of this amazing band, who have found their niche with Development. While I loved their previous albums, I was hoping for so much more in this band. And fortunately, all of it came true.

When I heard the first single, "Your Signs", I was convinced that either this album only had one song sounding like it, or a whole album of songs in varied styles. On the opening track, "Development", they pull out more of their heavy stuff to set the stage for this amazing album. As the rest unfolds, the best tracks end up being "Excessive Reactions", "Mountains", "My Own Sake", Normal Days", and my personal favorite, "Hide And Seek".

The most pleasing thing about this album is how much more mature it is. The songwriting has certainly improved, and actually just about everything has. Andy's guitar was amazing on the previous albums, and has only come to display more interesting riffs. However, the best part of this album I believe is Elias's vocals. This time around, he sang more as opposed to rapping or screaming, and it truly shines on this album. His singing carries most of the album very well, but especially well on the song "Normal Days".

It's pleasing to know that there are bands like Nonpoint out there, and it's great to know that there are such talented musicians. This band has set the stage with Development, for a long and lasting career.

Since gaining prominence a few years ago, the term "nu-metal" has come to be somewhat of a pejorative, often associated with simple musicianship and songwriting, weak vocals, and self-obsessed, often whiny lyrics. While those criticisms are often justified, fortunately there are bands like Nonpoint to prove that the nu-metal formula can work. Relying on old-fashioned devices like proficient musicianship and sharp songwriting, Nonpoint score once again on "Development" with a pack of tightly-coiled and often explosive songs. Nonpoint's approach is characterized by the contrast between soft and harder parts that many nu-metal bands use, but I think Nonpoint are a lot better at it. For one thing, they don't rely solely on the slow-verse-chanted-chorus formula that bands like Korn and Disturbed have been doing to death lately. Nonpoint keep their tempo shifts far more unpredictable than the typical nu-metal band, so their sound wears a lot better in the long run. Perhaps more importantly, they have the chops to make their diverse sound work. Elias Soriano is a terrific vocalist who can effortlessly shift from clean singing to a more aggressive and menacing tone. Guitarist Andrew Goldman is no Stevie Ray Vaughan, but compared to many guitarists in his genre he might as well be. His range goes well beyond the downtuned chugga-chugga riffs that have become the norm in today's heavy music, as he throws in chord shifts and lead notes that help make the band's sound interesting and distinctive. Drummer Robb Rivera can not only keep a beat better than most of his peers, but he throws in just enough fills to function as an extra instrument rather than a mere timekeeper.

In sum, "Development" marks a step up from its solid but unspectacular predecessor "Statement," with a more mature and though-out sound. Nonpoint are far from the best band out there, but in a nu-metal genre marked by increasingly low expectations, they differ from the norm more than enough to stand out. Look to them to be a band that survives the trend and keeps getting better.

This is an exceptional cd that can certainly compete with anything System of a Down, Disturbed, Chevelle, or any other alternative metal band has put out. The fact that Nonpoint never achieved the success of those groups is unfair, because this album rocks, and rocks hard. Song after song is both bruisingly heavy yet pleasingly melodic,with catchy, memorable hooks to boot - these guys do it right. Only the clumsily mediocre "mountains" lessens the fun. Their songs are lean and tight and they are talented musicians too, in particular the guitar player, check out the monstrous riffage of "circles" if you don't believe me. Add muscular production complete with room shaking bass and you have one great cd, good to crank after a hard day at work, definitely one of the upper echelon cds in my collection.

I saw the lads in LA and as the saying goes ( at least with Rush, Saigon Kick, and Love/Hate), they can musically cover live whatever they pump out in the studio. This particular album is a fantastic recording of melody coupled with incessant heaviness. Should that be too hard to ask? Nonpoint has travelled the road less taken, and yes, it HAS made all the difference. Get this for sure- no questions asked. "Development" is like reading a good book- you'll be the better for it.

Nonpoint is a great band if you have any respect for talent. The vocalist has wicked range, and they have come a LOOOOONG way in a good direction from their first CD.

If you are a fan I would suggest this one, if nothing else for "your signs", "circles" and "get inside". However if you are looking for an introduction get the albumn "Recoil" (their newest) seeming it is by far the best overall work they have done.

This is a pretty emotional album that will probably make you break up with your girlfriend.... or maybe that's just me. Definately fucxin rocks though. Worth a buy!

Nonpoint is an excellent band, I really enjoy their music. I bought the cd last summer, and I still listen to it, it's a great "pump you up" album. I think if you like Sevendust (which is one of my favorite bands), then you will certainly love this band.

I think they have really great lyrics, and great music to back it up. It isn't really hard, but it's got edge, and I think it sounds different compared to a lot of bands out there. But, it does have a Sevendust sound to them, in my opinion.

"Any Advice" is kind of a favorite of mine, it opens up great, "Making choices and hoping that they're all right...," then it goes into "we are losing all sight of the big picture, and there is no light on upstairs...," which I think are honest lyrics, which stike a chord in me. "My Own Sake" is another great song, with another great demonstration of the writing talent.

If you like Sevendust, and you want a little pick me up, Nonpoint "Development" is a worthy buy.

i got this cd the day is came out and at first listen when i was completly done, i noticed that this was not as hard. But still i love it every song is growing on me. I seriously think Nonpoint are the king of hooks. All their songs are really cathcy and get stuck in your head. Every song on this cd is good in its own way. If your dont like this Nonpoint well then you didnt like them from Statement as much as you thought you did. The reason i give it 4 stars is because its going ot be hard as hell to top Statement which was an incredible cd. And also what a better way to learn about frogs! The cd has little scientific loops about FROGS it goes through the whole cd, i think its pretty cool,it was a good idea.

I can't believe it. I was so excited about this release that I almost wet myself when the 25th actually did roll around. I haven't actually awaited a release since BOC's "Club Ninja." Well, as with that musical fiasco from '86, Nonpoint's latest really disappoints.

Let's discuss "Statement." What a wonderful album. Not a weak song on it. If you already own it, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, buy it instead.

Now let's discuss "Development." Uh. Um. Boring. First song rocks. Er. It's about frogs. That's about it. Other than to say that, at times, it sounds kinda like some throwaway alternative from the late 80's.

Gone are the wonderful riffs, melodious hooks and edgy vocals. Gone is any singing in Spanish. Gone is anything with any real punch. Gone is any interest. My head's hung as low as the average beats per minute on this album...