Customer Reviews

Second Coming

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought Second Coming's album in October 1998. It rates easily in my top 5 all time favorites. Early on I was afraid if I listened to it too much I would get tired of it. Well, over a year later I love this album more than ever.

Despite all the attempts to place this band along side another, I find it impossible. Second Coming created music that stands alone.

I highly recommend this CD and look forward to the next one.

If Second Coming are short on anything, it's not ambition. It's clear these guys wanna get taken seriously--as musicians, as a band, as songwriters, as people. For the most part they succeed, and succeed well. Their music is hard to describe--I'm tempted to say "alternative", but that word doesn't do them justice--the same exact way that the "alternative" title sounded like an insult to the genius(es) of Soundgarden and Alice in Chains, both of whom have obviously rubbed off on Second Coming considerably. They give rock a ballsy shot in the arm. Make no mistake though--these guys, despite reviving serious early-90s rock (and Sabbath/Zeppelin--inspired classic rock) in a big way, are NOT your transcendent, messianic Creed. Nowhere close. Find your "Higher"s or "With Arms Wide Open"s elsewhere. If anything their lyrics are subtly anti-religious--as is evidenced by the jabs in such songs in "Confessional" and "Soft". These guys are here to make rock music--loud, ostentatious, in-your-face, unapologetic. "Confessional", "Soft" (NOT!), "Afilotimi", "Free", and "the Unknown Rider" all crunch with speaker-quaking ferocity, while "The War", "The Song", and "Travisty" take on more of an acoustic, string-accompanied Zeppelinesque flavor. Electronica influences & loops also permeate the music, often providing a backdrop to the crunching guitar-rock that dominates the album, and sometimes even coming to the forefront--as in the appropriately-titled "Electric Head" which might remind one of Filter.

Guitarist Dudley Taft is quite good--he's got a style which is technical enough to wow the listener and earn the appreciation of guitar-solo nuts, but tasty and hooky enough that he doesn't detract from the songs--his gutsy playing reminds one of everybody from Jeff Beck to Kirk Hammett to John Frusciante. He also knows his programming, thanks to probably more than a few listens to electronica records. Singer Travis Bracht is the closest guy I've heard to Alice-in-Chains wailer Layne Staley, but fortunately he doesn't push the similarity too far. Speaking of AIC, Second Coming snagged former Alice-in-Chains bassist Yanni Bacolas! Him paired with drummer James Bergstrom is one of the hardest-hitting rhythm sections out there right now.

Second Coming is a worthy champion for the revival of real rock (sorry; Korn and Limp Bizkit just aren't rock, they're noise). They're not likely to either earn the love of critics like the sophistication that Radiohead has, or the teeny-bopper adulation and/or spiritual fervor directed at Creed (it's either 'cause Scott Stapp is one studly dude or 'cause he wears his heart on his sleeve, one of the two). However, they ARE one kickass rock band, one of the better ones I've heard in a while, so they will make an impact.

I was a fan of these guys years ago, but the rumor was they were down for the count, so I didn't even bother to keep up with them for their second album. I kinda stumbled across it and I am glad I did. The first album was AMAZING, so it's hard to compare the two. I will say that even the first one took a while to find the groove, but once I got used to the style, it became my favorite album. This album feels a little looser, and it's not produced quite as well (not the fault of the band though). It sounds like maybe the producer did it over a long period of time because the songs have different clarity levels and sounds. Certainly though, the singer is the best voice in rock, in my opinion. On top of all that, he fought in King of the Ring (and wrote a song on 13 about Ultimate Fighting) How much cooler can these guys be? If you are looking for awesome sound, great lyrics and feeling, buy anything by these guys. I heard a few clips of new songs on their website, and they are better than the 13 recording, much cleaner, better choruses, more like the first album. 13 still gets 5 stars though because these guys are the most talented band in modern rock...if you ask me.

Second Coming return with their 2nd recording (first one being independant release L.O.V.Evil) with new singer. The sound is much rounder and heavier than the first album. Adding Travis Bracht on vocals was a pure masterstroke and his combination with Dudley Taft is inspirational. Many people have said that the music is Creed / Alice In Chains like but my view is that this record may surpass anything that these bands have released. Second Coming are certainly more powerful than Creed, happier than Alice In Chains. There are virtually no throw-away tracks on this album but particular highlights include Soft, Vintage Eyes, The Song, The War Look forward to their 3rd release later this year depsite the fact that Dudley Taft the guitarist has now parted company with the band

I was turned onto Second Coming by a friend by the name of Matthew. He praised these fellas and I believed not a word he said. I heard so much about this band that I decided "what the hell" and bought the album. I listened to it and thought it was okay, nothing special. Each time I listened to it, it became better and better. I fell in love with this CD and it hasn't left my CD player in a long time. Anyone who doesn't have this album is missing out on unbelievable music. This CD has touched my soul.

This band blew my mind. To be honest, i just bought the CD cause of the cover. Whoa what a surprise when i listened to the tracks. Was this a debut album? Who is this band? Did Layne Staley form another band? What is this? No, it's not Layne Staley of Alice in Chains. This is Travis Bracht. A singer who has been missing from the world of rock for many, many years. Every single song is a hit just because of the lyrics and his vocal styling. A frontman who actually sings and not screams. Although even when he does scream it sounds like a rock-opera. BEST NEW BAND in a long, long time. Their debut album was just like when I picked up Facelift of Alice in Chains. But i must say that every single song is not only good, but very good.The guitars are crunchy yet accurate. Johnny Bacolas the Bass Player(who actually founded Alice in Chains with Jerry Cantrell) and J. Bergstrom are all musicians and it shows. This album just rocks. Favorite song: ALL OF THEM. Trust me it's the best you'll hear in a while. Melodic, tasteful, dark, moody, operatic, and very versatile. You will hear a lot from these guys. Second Coming out of Seattle. Remember that. They have a new album coming out in the next couple of months title "13". Look for it ... You'll be glad you did.

peace,

alexNchains

I highly recomend this cd! You will jam all night long with these guys and keep playing the cd years from now....Coolest peeps in the band also, treats their fans with alot of respect and thanks each and every one of us for buying the album. Seen them total of 4 times in "98" and cant wait to check out album #2---Worth every penny you spend on it! Keep Rock'n! Kevin

P.S.--CHECK THEM OUT LIVE!

The band Second Coming is the best I have heard in a while!! I saw them live in Seattle at the Showbox and they just blew the roof off that place. Travis was stage diving, Dudley was focused on his many guitar parts. The drums and bass were in perfect sync. GO SEE THIS BAND LIVE. There CD I play over and over. The lyrics really hit home with me. If you like PILOTFISH,Alice In Chains or Tool buy this CD. You will not be dissatisfied

This has to be the best Cd I have ever bought. I love bands like Alice In Chains, Creed, etc., etc. This band has to be one of the best. If not the best. Their lyrics are just to good for you not to buy this cd. Awesome guitar riffs. Awesome drum beats, and awesome song composition. I've noticed MTV has really being kissing Godsmack's ass a whole lot. They should be on their knees begging for Second Coming. I bought the Cd in February and I swear on my grave, that I haven't taken it out of my player yet. I sing in a band, and if I even sound a little like lead vocalist Travis Bracht, I'm happy. Awesome range in his voice. Totally awesome. If I had to pick a favorite, sit down close your eyes and listen to the song "Unknown Rider" see how the song changes yet the guitar riff actually makes it feel as if you're riding. WATCH OUT WORLD, FOR THE SECOND COMING!!

Anyone already familiar with Second Coming (remember the songs Soft and Vintage Eyes from 1998?) will enjoy this record. The first song off the album is worth asking price alone. I feel that this is a strong follow up record similar sound and all around enjoyable listen. They have evolved abit since their first record but they did not take a departure from their sound on the first record. For those who don't know about this band they come from the grunge/post grunge genre and are some good well written and executed rock. Thier sound is akin to the grunge era think alice in chains-esque music. I usually do not write reviews but this band is something I find myself listening to often. I think this band is for you if you have taken the time to read this review.