Customer Reviews

Killer & The Star

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Scooter Ward did exactly what he intended to do with this debut album... to break the "COLD mold" and produce a sound completely different and unique to what COLD fans were used to hearing. And he accomplished this on every level.... an expanded vocal range (no longer just the 'nicotine-marinated baritone" as he was once dubbed), by the incorporation of a plethera of instrumental sounds not often used on a COLD album, and with a noticably more intricate mix.

I had the priviledge of seeing The Killer and the Star live a few times this past spring when they toured with COLD. True to Ward form, their live show was simply stellar. A 3-man band with Rocky Gray (Evanescence, The Fallen) taking on drumming duties, they produced a powerfully melodic sound. This album equals that sound and continues it with impressive multi-dimensionality. With every listen through, you pick up on notes and sounds you didn't hear the previous times. "Angel Falls" could practically be performed by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. "Starts When You Fall" is the perfect anthemic single, "The Low" has almost a tribal affect. "Questions", with it's almost pipe-organ ending, gets stuck in your head and stays there.

John Otto (Limp Bizkit) does an outstanding job laying down the beats and Michael Harris (Idiot Pilot) adds bass with class.

The one similarity there is to Ward's previous COLD releases, is his pension and talent for writing beautifully cryptic, thought provoking, soul searching lyrics. This album not only makes you listen closely, it makes you think and - as always with SW's music - it makes you feel.

The Killer and the Star is a side project that Scooter Ward has been working for a couple of years now. It started of the The Witch to, When November Falls to, now The Killer and the Star(which shows how much dedication he has put into this). The Killer and The Star is a refreshing sound that when listening to brings you hope, and a feeling that is indesribable. So when you begin to listen to this album don't think your going to be listening to Cold. This is Scooter, and when I say Scooter I mean you are listening to his soul, and his emotions coming out through his beautiful voice, and heartfelt piano playing. In making this album Scooter also got John Otto to do some drum sessions on some of the songs, and Michael Harris of Idiot Pilot to help out on bass. In the end, you get the final product, The Killer and the Star. It starts off with the song Living With Musicians which immediately pulls you into Scooter's world(also it's an amazing song). Then it immediately goes into a song named Hallelujah, which is dark yet is surrounded by beauty. At this point your emotions are being moved, and then you are immediately hit with Starts When You Fall which is a song of that brings you a feeling of hope. In every song after this it continues, your emotions are building into a climax that will bring you closer to your own heart and soul. This album is amazing, and if like Scooter Ward and his lyrics, and his passion, and how he makes you feel then you have to pick this album up. It will touch you, and bring you closer to feelings you have forgotten about or have never felt. The Killer and the Star is a sigh of relief to the music industry.

In between breaking up and not breaking up with his bandmates in Cold (what few of them were left) over the past few years, frontman Scooter Ward found time to write and record his own solo record under the moniker The Killer and the Star. Produced by Ross Robinson (who also helmed the very first Cold record), the self-titled debut is the first piece of new music to come from a member of the band since 2005's "A Different Kind of Pain."

Folks, I'm going to be as blunt as possible here. How Ross Robinson let this one slip past his radar is beyond me. The man has made some classics with the likes of Korn, Slipknot, At the Drive-In, Glassjaw, etc. but that golden touch seems lost with this first offering from The Killer and the Star. To say it is over-produced wouldn't do it justice. In fact, it is one of the few albums in this day and age that is as over-produced as it is under-produced, if that even makes any sense. Basically, it's got slick production with virtually nothing below the surface.

Perhaps the songs would be good on their own, but unfortunately for the faithful Cold fan, Scooter's pipes are smothered in a dense layer of auto-tune, and not the kind of auto-tune used sparingly on Cold albums in the past. This is auto-tune so badly utilized that it renders most of the songs unlistenable. Sure, such overkill of a technological advance might be okay if you're T-Pain or Cher, but coming from the unique and soulful voice of Cold, it is unnecessary, confusing and offensive.

The album enlists the help of Limp Bizkit drummer John Otto. Regardless of what you think of his band, Otto is a very talented drummer who is completely wasted on this record. The true star (get it?) of this not-so killer (get it?) album is Scooter's butchered vocals and ineffective Casio keyboard. It's hard to tell if this was meant to be some sort of Christian rock/hip-hop mash-up, but whatever the intentions, the album is an absolute creative failure. Cold have a new album in the works for an early 2010 release titled "Epic." It's going to have to be just that in order to make up for this disappointment.

When you hear that one of your musical idols is making a solo record, you tend to over-hype it and find yourself not as satisfied when it comes out. That or it's just not good. The latter seems to be the case with Cold front-man Scooter Ward's first solo venture, which features an obviously forced (and might I add weak) singing style, lyrics that don't even compare to his previous works, and more than a few traces of cheesy auto-tune vocal effects (save it for T-Pain Mr. Ward). Let's not forget the numerous instances where he breaks into falsetto, which are god awful. Sure, there are a few good songs, such as "Starts When You Fall" and "Symphony For A Mad World," but the rest are just poorly written. They sound painfully like the work of a beginner, not the veteran songwriter that made Cold one of my favorite bands of all time.

To be honest, this album is nothing what I expected. I was expecting this CD to be a bunch of piano-focused tracks that were super depressing and gloomy. I hadn't kept up with the updates on this band because it seemed like it wasn't going to happen (the album was delayed immensely and the band went through 3 name changes). But to my surprise there it was one day sitting on the shelf at best buy. It was worth the wait and Scooter Ward doesn't disappoint. He uses some weird effect to his voice in some of the tracks, but it works. Apparently Cold is back together and making a new album... Great news. Cold fans: get this CD!

Scooter never ceases to amaze me with his beautiful music and insightful lyrics. It's a much more mellow sound than Cold but just as awesome!

Although a bit different with the auto tuning on his voice. Glad to hear a familiar voice.

This album is definately not Cold. But it is undeniably Scooter. Very personal, yet not overproduced. Maybe a litte more raw, even a little off key at times. But a must have for any Cold fan, or anyone that appreciates talent. I'm not a big fan of altered vocals, but they work here. This has been on my ipod for a solid week. This was definately worth waiting 3 1/2 years and three name changes.

I have heard the early demos and did like them, but really fell in love after seeing this band live. the emotion is almost too much to handle. when i finally got the finished album i thought it really took the demos to a new level. each song is so emotional and gives me chills everytime i hear it. if you are a cold fan, there are some reminders in this music for you, and if you are not into cold, this album is very different as well. give it a few listens, i promise you wont regret it!

its cold, but take away the "rock" aspect. just bare emotion. really puts you in the songs, to focus on the lyrics. 10 out of 10 for a cold fan