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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasant surprise, May 17, 2005
This C.D. loses out to Meshuggah's "I" for 2004's best EP, but "The Other Side" is still an intelligent and well executed idea. Acoustic tracks (and songs like these) usually appear as rarities and/or b-sides, so it was also definitely a daring move for Godsmack to compile these songs and release them as an EP.
This album could have been a face plant for Godsmack. Making a batch of soft and soothing songs (that don't have the loudness, intensity, clutter and cacophony of the originals) could be embarrassing. It could prove that the vocalist can't sing worth squat (he can only yell) and the guitarist can only play power chords. Also, even before this album was released, Godsmack had trouble escaping the "Alice in Chains post grunge" tag. Since Alice made an "Unplugged" album, it's only natural for skeptics to think "The Other Side" follows, even further, in AIC's footsteps.
But anyone who has heard this C.D. knows that these criticisms aren't founded. Even though heavy riffs and howling may be what Godsmack is best at, the guitars and vocals (as well as the album as a whole) came out surprisingly well. Instead of the usual hard and impenetrable riffs, these guitars create a meaty, restrained wall of sound which goes very well with frontman Sully Erna's vocals. An entirely acoustic album can sometimes become monotonous, but "The Other Side" is not. The guitars (i.e. "Realign") are sometimes low, but they can also be high pitched (i.e. the solos). Sully's vocal range is also a long ways from where it was at on "Faceless" and "Awake." He doesn't have the best singing voice in the world, but his deep, gruff crooning help make this album soothing. Sully's lyrics sometimes sound silly (especially when he exclaims "yeah!"), but he wisely omits the expletives that the original songs had.
Next, even though this C.D. sounds like Alice in Chains in a lot of ways, it is also quite different. Yes, most of these songs do have some Alice in them, but they also have Johnny Cash-esque melody. Plus, this album differs from "Unplugged" because, in addition to three entirely new songs, "The Other Side" has some newly added music and lyrics.
"Running Blind," the lead single (and first of three new tracks), has some clean singing and good, depressing lyrics. Plus, this song has a catchy chorus and a gentle guitar solo near the end.
"Realign"doesn't stray too far from the original song's sound (aside from the angst free vocals). It begins with a high hat drum and a good opening riff. Then, like the original, the guitars fall into a groove and (aside from the solo) stay that way for the rest of the song.
"Touche" is a good, catchy jingle that features a guest appearance from Dropbox members Lee Richards and John Kosco. The album's second single has a good country music vibe running through it.
"Voices" is darker than its predecessors. It has some good percussion, but out of the three new tracks, "Voices" is probably the least memorable.
"Keep Away" is probably included because Godsmack wanted a song from all of their albums (including their self-entitled album). Most of the songs from that C.D. (i.e. "Whatever") would sound ridiculous on a low key album like this, thus the inclusion of this song is somewhat a surprise. But, aside from the weird noise ("hoo!") that Sully makes before the guitar solo, this song turns out to be one of the best on this album. It has an instrumental mid-section with a low, beeping bass (the bass is most audible on this song.)
"Spiral" is a great inclusion. The original version of "Spiral" starts soft and becomes heavier, but on this version, it starts soft and seemingly becomes even softer. The rattles, rain sticks and tribal drums are usually drowned out by the guitars, but they are very noticeable here. Another dark theme runs throughout this one.
"Asleep" is actually a piano abetted ballad of the previously angst ridden (and very heavy) `Smack song "Awake." The harmonic piano is as present and audible as the guitar in this song. Sully (who omits the f-bomb that the original song had) eerily inhales and exhales throughout this song, and the song ends with the sound of a clock ticking.
Godsmack covered the right songs (I can't think of any that I want substituted), as well as the right number of songs. At 29 minutes, you could argue that there should be more songs, but I believe "The Other Side" would become stale and tired if it had many more. Keep in mind this is only an EP, not a full length album. This is just a nice little snack for fans to nosh on in between full length albums. I would welcome, and I also wouldn't be surprised if another entirely acoustic album (like this) surfaces in a couple years.
I bought "The Other Side" strictly because I am a Godsmack fan and I like to have a complete collection. I sort of expected it to be like a continuation of the 2003 single "Serenity" (which was just O.K.). Godsmack did get the inspiration for this album from that song, but all seven of these songs came out sounding better than it.
You obviously need to own it if you're a Godsmack fan, but, since every song on here is pleasant and soothing (and there isn't one song that is skip worthy), I also strongly recommend you check this out even if you're NOT a fan.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Focus on the Music !!, March 23, 2005
I don't want to debate the pros or cons of Godsmack vs. Alice In Chains. As we all know...there can be no more Alice without Layne so to continue this is obsurd. We do have Godsmack and this is a great acoustical album....period. The band ventures into some really great dark minor key acoustic jam sessions as well as some middle eastern vibe riffs & the use of congo/bongo and other various percussion is mezmerizing...check out song #6 "Spiral"...its hypnotic rise and fall will really grab you !! Song #7 - "Asleep" is another powerfully understated song that escapes you on the first play through but one you'll come back to again and again...I even find myself doing an echo, repeating "Chris Cornell-esque/Soungarden" type harmony (its not in the song but if you listen it will just come to you !!) And without a doubt the song that will definitely make a believer out of you has to be "Touche`".....the acoustic guitar just pulls you in with the little stylie intro....and the words are classic...a quid pro quo look at the world. This is a cool buy if you like dark and hypnotic stripped down acoustic and bongo/congo percussion !!! As for the Alice in Chains comparison, remember, imitation is the greatest form of flattery !!
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Pleasent Surprise, March 17, 2004
By A Customer
I've been a fan of Godsmack since their first album, and have seen the progression of their last two. Yes, they lack the intensity of their first album, but I take them for what they are worth. Good songs, good riffs, pretty good overall band. Wow, is The Other Side different. Talk about melody and harmony! Godsmack have always put together interesting harmonies, but the softer acoustic focus allows them to function almost as a third guitar. No, this is not just acoustic versions of old songs, although that probably would have been good too. This album has vastly different arrangements, indeed showing the songs' "other side". I would reccoment this to Godsmack fans and music snobs alike. I have a pretty good ear for "nice" music, and this passes the test. No growls, no f-words. They just play beautiful music. Isn't that a change these days? Folks, this is a BIG switch. Bravo, Boston Rockers.
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