Customer Reviews

Say No More

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

 

 

This 2 star rating is not a reflection of the quality of music on this album. Indeed, it is chock full of great, great songs. Instead it is indicitive of Mono vs Stereo/Gotee Record's inept handling of it.

In early 2005 Gotee released House of Heroes self-titled album. It was a great, great cd. Now, 1.5 quarters into 2006 Mono vs Stereo (which is a sub-label of Gotee) re-releases the album under the title "Say No More" and with different artwork, and two new songs (and, incidently, sans one of the old ones). And I don't know if the title is a Monty Python reference ("Say no more, say no MORE!") but it always gives me a flashback to the Flying Circus.

And my big gripe is that when you see this CD in the stores there is no sticker proclaiming "re-release of House Of Heroes with two new songs!" NO! It is just sitting on the shelf, pretty as you please, looking all the world like a new album.

Sigh.

Look-- this is a great album if you don't already own the self titled House of Heroes cd. So if you are new to the band disregard the two star rating above and assume I made it 5 stars. However, for everyone else who already owns "House of Heroes" just go to iTunes (or where ever you buy fine tracks online) and get the two songs new to this release.

I'm not a long-time listener to H.O.H., but from now on I'll start on that. This is a solid rock album and a good one to listen to. Buckets for Bullet Wounds opens the CD well with good lyrics and a good rock sound. Fast Enough has some of my favorite guitar and bass sounds from any band or song. Friday Night starts off kind of slow, but steadily works into a good song. The Invisible Hook is really catchy and shows really well the complacency of Americans. I could go on, but then I'd just be saying what I like about each song. They're really all good. I wholly recommend this CD--five stars.

This album is one of the best I've ever owned. Their drummer is probably my favorite of any band I've ever listened to. The music keeps you listening, always anxious to hear the next part even if you've memorized the cd. If you have any extra cash laying around you should definitely BUY THIS CD!

If you enjoy any kind of rock at all... you'll love House of Heroes. I've been able to see them 3 times in concert and are truly amazing. Their harmonies to screams give this album a wide variety yet makes you just want more. Especially with the addition of "You Are the Judas of the Cheerleading Squad" from their past release, HOH shows you just you can get lost in a song in which half of it contains no lyrics... just good ol' rock.

This record is the link between today's take on minimal early 1980's post-punk and prog-inspired modern rock a la muse or the used. You can't help but move and groove to this dance friendly album.

AJ Babcock's bass lines mix well with Colin Rigsby's steady drumbeat and Tim Skipper's fancy guitar riffs. Some of the more notable songs on the album are "The Invisible Hook," which is one of the band's two self-produced tracks and hopefully the hit that brings them success. "Buckets for Bullet Wounds" and "You are the Judas of the Cheerleading Squad," are two more songs that I think are just simply outstanding. This is a band destined to have a great career.

This is the second album on which I like every single song (the first one was Flyleaf's eponymous debut).

I must say, this band's sound is very refreshing. It packs a punch, but it doesn't have to knock you down to do it. It's lyrics are heartfelt (without being sappy), intelligent, thought-provoking and poetic. The lead singer's voice has a very young, boyish quality to it, thus adding to the upbeat energy of the album.

This band is Christian, but it has plenty of secular appeal as well (in the vein of Paramore).

The songs are extremely catchy.

From the beginning to the end, you'll be bopping your head around, singing along, perhaps even dancing to the beat. A wide range of emotions are here: love, hate, jealousy, sorrow, happiness, hope. They send a political message without being brash (like Green Day). They talk about the inspiration of young love (without sex). They have positive messages.

The album ties all the ends together beautifully with the final song, the epic "Angels in Top Hats." It makes me tear up when I listen to it.

All in all, an amazing album, and I hope House of Heroes stays awesome.

"Rise up, oh sons of God!/And sing the song that hides behind your teeth/These ears have longed to hear..."--House of Heroes, "Serial Sleepers"