Customer Reviews

Song for the Underdog

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

 

 

There's no question that Bullets and Octane's follow up to In the Mouth of the Young is catchier and would be generally more friendly to a wide audience. But they do seem to have lost some of their grit on this release. Granted, it's still got more grit than most of the junk on MTV, but they've slipped a bit from their previous album. That's not to say that this is a bad album. On the contrary, quality music combined with great hooks and catchy melodies and lyrics leads to a wealth of replay value.

This band also has a great ability to incorporate melodies into their music that seem reminiscent of "oldies," which really gives a lot of the tracks a great vibe.

I was first introduced to Bullets and Octane by a video game soundtrack, on which I found a song with the most amazing energy called Pirates, and I've been hooked ever since. I picked up their first 2 albums, and found them to be contrasting yet complimentary. The Revelry showed off more of their alternative side, while In the Mouth of the Young was more punk-grunge, but extremely unique, and clearly showcasing some very talented musicians. Both albums featured their share of great tunes however, like Save Me Sorrow, Sweet Dreams, Cancer California, and All Hail Halo. Despite their varying styles, what was great about all these songs was that the band was one of a select few that could play with extreme energy, without having to manufacture it.

Most of this album, on the other hand, consists of songs in which the energy is completely fake, and whats left are power ballads that are generic and don't fit the band's style AT ALL. Sadly, Bullets and Octane seems to have lost almost all the edge that I loved about them, and we can only hope that they take some time to return to form before releasing their next album.

After being blown away by Bullets and Octane's 2006 album In the Mouth of the Young, I had high hopes for their follow-up album Song for the Underdog. I was expecting another kick in the teeth rock n' roll album. Instead, Song for the Underdog is a poppy, punkish and all-around confused collection of songs.

I'm not sure what the band was going for here. Maybe getting dropped from RCA made the band desperate for mainstream rock approval, because nearly all of the aggression from In the Mouth of the Young is missing here. Instead we have catchy sing-along choruses and simple melodies. It's like a Dropkick Murphys album without the bagpipes. I don't mind that kind of music, but it just isn't what this band does best. Even the more rocking songs sound toothless somehow.

Song for the Underdog has some decent songs, but it's far from what I expected after an album as awesome as In the Mouth of the Young. If you're new to the band's music you're much better off starting with In the Mouth of the Young. If you still want to check this one out, you should pick up their 2009 release Laughing in the Face of Failure (the perfect title), which includes this album as a bonus disc. Fortunately, the new album gets the band back to their true sound.

If this was the first album I'd heard from them I'd say it was OK but, nothing great. Problem is I have heard "In The Mouth Of the Young" which was fantastic. I listened to this knowing that there HAD to be at least one song that would blow me away. One where you can't concentrate on anything else when you listen to it (Save me sorrow/I ain't your savior). By comparison, this album is a pale shadow of THAT kind of energy. I kept feeling like the vocalist was trying hard to make me think there was some fire in the song, but there wasn't any.

A couple of flashes of guitar solos thrown in as an after thought ("Welcome to Our Holiday") seemed almost an insult compared to their previous CD ("Going Blind" still gives me chills). Several songs had the early build up where I KNEW they were going to take off any moment, and then, well, nothing. (Half way through "Building a Legend" there's this SLOW bass solo that seems wholly out of place.)

"Bathroom Floor", from the earlier CD, was good, because it offered a counterpoint to the rest of the album. Here, though, more than half the songs come off as ballads.

And "Everyone's In Love With Me" is a mess. I can't tell what that song is trying to do.

What a disappointment.

I feel cheated.

Bullets And Octane-Song For The Underdog *****

Well they haven't cahnged one bit since their first record. The only thing is Bullets And Octane seem to make a better album each time around. In The Mouth Of The Young was better then the debut but essentialy the same album. This, Song For The Underdog is way, way, way better then In The Mouth Of The Young but essential the same album as that. Not that there is anything wrong with that method because Slayer has been making the same album for the last twenty something years and they are just as good as ever.

The ballads such as 'City Of Angels' and the others are jsut more melodic and sympathetic then before while the rockers seem to rock harder then ever before. This seems to be more stripped down then before with less production while the guitars have even kicked up a notch a bit. The bad boy rock n' roll attitude is still here and in full salute as well. Songs like the sure to cause contraversy 'The Perfect Bitch' the title track and 'I Caught Fire' are full of sex and drugs, which for any dirty hard rock fan, this will please just fine. While the title track is merly a self-medicading party song (but a damn good one) the rest of the album is more serious. 'Building A Legend' trying to get away from a bad past but not really being able to, and 'Harder To Breath' is aside from 'Queen Mirage' on In The Mouth Of The Young is the best song the band ever wrote and recorded.

Gene Louis' vocals are the best they have ever been, and his lyrics are nothing to rival, simply because you can't. He is quick;y turning into one of rock n' rolls very ellite band of frontmen. While the rest of the punk influenced rockers in Bullets James Daniel (guitar) Bretn Clawson (Bass) and Ty Smith (Drums) are also turning into on of the strongest bands in rock today and Song For The Underdog is a testament to that.

As usual B&O has released a solid, gritty, and amazing album. If you liked their other stuff or like rock with some real character, pick this album up. You can really tell that these guys put their hearts and souls into everything they make, and this album is no different.

-"Without me, whats left to sin for?"