Customer Reviews

Music for the Massive

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

These guys ROCK!!!! A mix of old time 70's metal and early 90's Alternative with a hint of swing and jazz...you will dig this!

i have been a fan of apartment 26 since 2000 with their debut album "hullucinating" and this album seemed like it took forever to come out. after waiting till 2003 i gave up on these guys and finally found out they were releasing something again. this album, while much different then hullucinating, is very good. its a real breath of fresh air from all those teenie boppers on the radio these days. this cd isnt really the industrial/techno/rock that apt 26 used to be.. its more less alternative rock with a few elements of industrial. the lyrics are simple but alot of times catchy. my favorites on here include: give me more, 88, kick to the head, and the hidden/instrumental track which as far as i can tell is titled "Resolve". if you're a fan of their first cd then this will most likely please you... but if you're expecting more hard hitting techno beats then your in for a let down. either way this cd doesnt dissapoint

Apartment 26 seem to have been designated critic's whipping boys from the get-go, as the press have gotten it into their heads that the only reason they have any sort of record deal is due to their lead singer's dad being in Black Sabbath. True, that WAS probably the only reason they got on the OzzFest 99 tour despite being completely unknown, but I'm glad they did, since I saw them perform there and have been a fan ever since.

I had actually given up on the band's existance, since it's been about 4 years since their debut LP, and I'd heard nothing from them since. But out of nowhere, they've reappeared with a noticably overhauled sound, which is sure to alienate some of their hardcore fanbase. But really, who cares? I mean there were only about 12 of us anyway, weren't there?

The first thing you'll notice upon hearing the first track is that it swings. And I don't mean in a groovy, "Clutch" sense. AMG described it as "Filter covering Zoot Suit Riot", and that's really not too far off. Sure, it's a gimmick, but who cares when the songs are this good? I challenge anyone to listen to "Give Me More" or "Book (Be My Friend)" and not feel the urge to dance around like an idiot.

Fortunately, they limit this approach to only two or three songs, which leaves a lot more room to flesh out and their "classic" sound. They definitely trimmed the electronic influences this time, which could be seen as good or bad. Even though it's sad to see the backbeats and techno bleeps shifted to the background, the melodies and songwriting are ten times tighter here, which easily makes up for it. "Strike" and "Stupid World" simply rip, and are guaranteed to make you bang your head.

Songs like "88" and "Kick to the Head" show a much more pronounced sense of melody, which isn't exactly pop, but makes the tunes stick in your head a lot faster this time. The only blatantly pop moment is the almost-ballad "Heaven", which is actually really good. In true Apt. 26 fashion, this song isn't nearly as schmaltzy as you'd think, and actually doesn't make any clear emotional statement... it just sounds really good, and is really fun to sing along to.

The only real misstep is "Summer", which is wrong on so many levels. It sounds like the lead singer is trying to seduce the female guest vocalist, but it doesn't make any sense, doesn't fit, and sounds just plain wierd. Fortunately, some of the techno experimentation is still here, and the best tracks prove that this really is Apt. 26's forte. The instrumental "bonus" track closes a somewhat inconsistent second half on a very atmospheric high note. The most powerful track here is "New Year's Resolution" which is so mind-blowing that it simply rips a hole in the fabric of space time. Definitely a must hear. Come to think of it, so's most of the album.

Hrmm. I first joined the AP26 craze after hearing "Backwards" on the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack. I had to buy their album. I was pleased. Music for the Massive has its ups and downs. I do miss the techno beats that supported the last disc, but unlike other people, I realize that bands have to grow. Thankfully, (and wisely), they didn't entirely abandon sampling and electronic inserts like Stabbing Westward did for their second album and maybe will tweak more samples into their next disc (hopefully it won't be another 4 years waiting!). I'm still getting used to the disc, but there is much niftiness to be gleaned from their new sound (c'mon you know you like dancing like a jackass when you hear "Give Me More"). Fans of the old album will really enjoy "New Year's Resolution", because the style from their first disc emerges fully grown. I think the disc is worth buying because two thirds of the songs are radio worthy (not that many stations would have the balls to play them) and the only track that clearly sucks is "Summer". It ain't a mindblow like the first, but it works. I they're coming to Tally next month and I WILL certainly be there! Spend the money, this one is worth it.

I enjoyed the last cd they put out but am actually more impressed with this one. Give Me More is clearly the best and most interesting track with its metal meets jazz sound. The other songs are almost all good and keep the listener interested. The sound/production quality as well as the music has matured. There are maybe 1 or 2 songs that wouldn't be missed but over all it is a great cd.

This album is by far one of the most fun album's I have in my collection now. Granted, I was expecting something a little heavier, but it seemed like they just decided to do what felt right to them this time around and had a ton of fun with it. It completely satisfied my ears through and through.

It's just one of those albums where you are just kinda down in the dumps and you want something to cheer you up but don't want to look weird driving down the street listening to Weird Al or something, so you keep your street cred. and throw in your "Music For The Massive" CD.

I highly recommend it, if you have an expandable mind outside of just pure metal and can appreciate the artistic value of using instruments aside from the typical low distortion guitar and blast beats on the drums. Guaranteed to put you in a good mood!

No longer does the band have to rely on bizarre industrial effects to carry their songs. The songs here are at times emotional, organic or jazzy, and that's what prevents it from being more by-the-book alternative metal. Pick this up if you want to hear what Apartment 26 could do when they made an effort with their tunes.

I didn't know what to expect from this cd, I'd never heard any of Biff's tunes before, but was hoping they would be a chip off the old block, musically speaking.
I was not disappointed. The first song is really good & sets the tone for the entire cd. It encorporates a lot of different styles while still being fairly hard...think maybe an Incubus influence. I liked this cd enough that I'll purchase more of their efforts.

I was reading through some reviews and decided to add my two cents. I, like many others, really liked Apt 26's first release. So much so that I bought their official Apartment 26 glowsticks and t shirt. Yeah, that's right...I'm one of probably 10 people that bought Apartment 26 branded glowsticks. Anyway, I liked THAT CD because of the industrial/dance sound. My favorite track is the title track and Doing it Anyway.

Years go by and then this CD comes out. I hated it! The sound is completely different and while most bands ditch their keyboard sounds for the generic "rock and roll" sound, Apt went ahead and tried some weird jazzy garbage. I actually didn't HATE Give me More but I hoped that the rest of the CD didn't sound like it. There is ONE bright note for fans of the first CD. The track is called New Years Resolution and it represents everything I HOPED this CD would be. Strike and Kick to the Head are OK as well.

Despite this CD being a huge failure in my opinion, I was looking forward to seeing them live when they opened for Three Days Grace. My hope was that they'd play some of their killer older tunes. They didn't play a single track off of Hallucinating! I was so disappointed and letdown. Way to spit in the face of your original fans. Because of that, I can't say I'm too terribly upset they broke up.

Nice down to earth album. Totally different from the first. I like it , it was cool. Check it out..