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43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sevendust Deliver Another Exceptional Album, As Expected..., October 11, 2005
I love the fall. It's a time of change. Summer is over, all the obnoxious kids are back in school, the streets are empty, the weather is milder and more comfortable. All of these things make autumn my favorite season. One other reason to appreciate this time of year is Sevendust. Every fall (well, every other fall) I always can look forward to a new Sevendust release. Like clockwork, since their 1997 debut, the boys have never let us down. Every other year, releasing an incredible, original album that puts their competition to shame.
It's been a year of change for the band, and their fifth album is appropriately titled "Next." Aside from getting away from their neglectful label (TVT), they also had to endure the loss of founding guitarist, Clint Lowery (who left late last year to join his brother in Dark New Day). I'm sure I'm not the only one who was worried about Sevendust's future, afterall, this is, and always has been, a highly collaborative group, and Clint no doubt played a big part. One listen to "Next," however, and all worries and doubts are set aside. Sevendust are back, just as strong as before. As the opening track, "Hero," ripped through my speakers, a smile formed on my face. Sevendust are here to stay.
Clint's replacement, Sony Mayo, fits like a glove. You almost wouldn't notice there was a change in line-up. Mayo obviously has chemistry with the group. Aside from playing in groups like (hed)p.e. and Amen, he was an original member of Snot, a group that Sevendust came up with in the mid to late 90's. Mayo came into the group very quickly (within a month, they had confirmed him as Clint's replacement) and it's easy to see why. The chemistry is electrifying. This set of 11 songs easily fits in among Sevendust's best. Style-wise, it's a progression from 2003's "Seasons." It shares a lot of the same traits, but since it was self-produced, "Next" is a more down and dirty, grittier affair. Fans of the older material can rejoice, as this album combines the best of old with new, while still steering their style towards the future. Standouts on this record include the instant hits "Ugly" and "Pieces," the somber "This Life," and "Never," an effects heavy callback to the groups earlier efforts.
Personally, I can't wait to see these guys when they hit the road. This is undoubtedly an album that will sound even better performed live (which is what Sevendust are best at), and "The Last Song" just proves it. Take one listen to the chorus, and you can almost imagine being in the crowd at a Sevendust show. Overall, "Next" is a forceful, well-made album. The band sound just as great as before, it's like they never missed a step. The bonus DVD, which runs about 25 minutes basically brings everyone up to speed on what has happened to the group in the past year (although it's funny to note that Clint is never mentioned directly). "Next" is an album you won't want to miss. As for Sevendust, I raise my glass to you. You couldn't disappoint us -- even if you tried.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another good Sevendust album. What did you expect?, October 31, 2005
You have got to give props to this Georgia quartet. Since they debuted in 1997, they have consistently turned out one solid album after another, and only two years after their last album was released. Plus, even though they changed record labels and lost their original guitarist (Clint Lowery), they wrote, recorded, and released a new album in only two years time. To do this, Sevendust had to find a replacement guitarist (Sony Mayo), and even self-produce the album.
Sevendust sound as great as ever before, and the whole band is in fine form, here. Plus, Sony (who has played in bands like Amen and Snot) is such a good replacement, it's almost impossible to tell Clint left.
It turns out, that, in the past, the record labels had nixed Sevendust's attempts to write heavier music. But, since "Next" was self-produced and recorded without a major label breathing down their necks, the band members could essentially go nuts, and do/write whatever they wanted. The result was an album that's a mixed bag of songs. "Pieces" is possibly the heaviest song ever written by Sevendust, but a song like "Shadows In Red," which is an acoustic ballad with even a viola, shows off their softer, sensitive side. Other highlights include "This Life," which is a slow, gloomy power ballad which showcases Lajon's stellar vocals, whereas "The Last Song" features chunky, almost machine gun riffs. And, lastly, "Hero," and the lead single "Ugly," are instant hits.
"Next" is dragged down a little because some of the tunes (like the surging "Never") are a little too familiar, but that's a minor complaint when the songs sound this good!
The bonus DVD is a news recap of everything that has happened to Sevendust since their last album was released.
Sevendust had to do a lot in order to release this album, so it was somewhat of a surprise that "Next" was released this year. But it's not (or shouldn't be) a surprise that this is not just an album, but a good one, at that. As any real music fan would tell you, Sevendust have more than proven themselves as a very consistent and powerful heavy rock band who will seemingly never let down or disappoint their fans.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strongest Song-For-Song Album to Date, October 12, 2005
THE BAND: Lajon Witherspoon (vocals), John Connolly (guitar), Vince Hornsby (bass), Morgan Rose (drums), Sonny Mayo (guitar). Mayo replaces departed founding Sevendust member Clint Lowery (who went to perform with his brother's band 'Dark New Day'). Home town: Atlanta, Georgia.
THE DISC: Self-produced on Winedark label. 11 tracks clocking in at approximately 44 minutes. Liner notes: 4-page fold out including band pictures, lyrics and thank you's. 25 minute DVD on the flip side of the disc featuring band moments and behind the scenes recording of the album.
COMMENTS: "Next" is one of my top 5 favorite albums from 2005. As much as I've liked scattered songs and hits from previous releases, I love "Next" in it's entirety. There is absolutely no filler... this is the first 'complete' album I truly worship. Vince's trademark bass pounding is still there, but it's toned down. Witherspoon and bandmates are not solely relying on aggressive vocals and volume. Some songs are down-right melodic. It's toned down in the way that Metallica toned down their 1991 'Black' album - and it works. Topics include dealing with relationships, loneliness, and self awareness. I predict this release to have several songs hit the FM airwaves. Since Sevendust's first release in 1997, they've continued to push the envelope. While "Seasons" (2003) is/was poorly received and probably my least favorite album, I have a strong feeling "Next" will be just the opposite. The first hits are "Ugly" and "Pieces" and very deserving = great songs! Also check out the acoustic "Shadows In Red" complete with string arrangments; and "This Life" - the closest thing to a ballad Sevendust has ever done. Great disc.
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