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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Econoline Crush's most solid album, February 16, 2001
Unlike most reviewers on Amazon, I was familiar with Econoline Crush before I bought Affliction. Reasons for this are:1. Econoline Crush is a band from Vancouver, BC, Canada. I'm also from the Vancouver area. 2. Econoline Crush had just released Affliction, and the singles "Nowhere Now" and especially "Wicked" were gettings tons of radio play on rock radio stations across Canada. Most American radio stations ignore Canadian rock bands unless they have amazing commercial success like the Barenaked Ladies or Bryan Adams. So if you're American, there's a good chance you've never been exposed to Econoline Crush. Here in Canada? They're quite big, and teenaged girls are in love with their lead singer, Trevor Hurst. 3. I was a fan of another Canadian band called The Tea Party, and Econoline Crush opened up for the Tea Party numerous times. I was able to see them live before I bought affliction. So, now you're probably asking, "What does the album sound like? Is it any good? Is it a rip off of other albums?" Here's my opinion, with a few facts pulled in: Econoline Crush were extremely influenced by rock and industrial bands. No, not industrial bands like NIN, but bands like Skinny Puppy and Frontline Assembly who were also from Vancouver. Rhys Fulber, who was a member of Frontline Assembly up until the late 90's, produced Econoline Crush's first album "Purge", but also played keyboards on Affliction, and toured with Econoline Crush. If you're lucky enough, you'll find a few Econoline Crush songs remixed by Rhys Fulber (Nowhere Now comes to mind). That's one reason why Econoline Crush have that industrial edge to them. Affliction was recorded when all of the original Econoline Crush members were present. This is why I call it their most solid album. But not only that, but every song is strong, energetic and emotional. Nowhere Now kicks off the album into an energetic frenzy. Imagine this song live in concert with the crowd pumping up and down. Blunt begins with a quick punch of a guitar riff, then slows down to a quiet rumble... until the chorus builds, and the chanting of "Nothing! Nothing! Nothing!" makes you just want to blast the song from your stereo! Wicked was the most popular radio single off of this album - starting out with industrial-type samples of drums, the fast paced chorus and the taunting, "you don't feel, you don't care, you're so wicked" in the chorus. Emotional Stain is a nice break in the album, as it lets go from that energetic frenzy and treats you with a blues rock song. Close is a dark, mellow song, with echoed vocals and sorrowful passion. Close was the other single off of Affliction that got adequate radio play in Canada in 1995. Blood In The River is about a dream that lead singer Trevor Hurst had, where he saw bodies in a river. This song was very popular in concert, where the crowd was singing along to the chorus of, "whoa... save my soul, save.. my.. soul..." Cruel World is more of a raw industrial-rock song, a song that was actually released on their first EP, "Purge", but on Affliction, the sounds are more full. Lost and Slug are some of my least favourite on the album because they become a bit like an angry repetitive rock song. Sycophant is one of the catchiest songs on the album, with guitar riffs that want you to bop your head in time to it. It's an excellent song to hear extremely loud! Affliction ends the album a bit more mellow and confused, almost like a reflection and a conclusion to an album of extreme intensity and emotion. All in all, I'm surprised this album was never introduced to the American market, however, I'm glad it was one of the top albums in Canada during 1995 and 1996. Still to this day you'll hear those songs in Canada, and Econoline Crush are one of the bigger rock bands around that *aren't* the Barenaked Ladies. Don't expect any sissy music to come out of this band! And to end my review, this is *not* the soundtrack to the 1997 movie "Affliction", so if that's what you're looking for, Econoline Crush's album "Affliction" isn't it! But for all those rock fans who enjoy such bands as NIN, Stabbing Westward, Frontline Assembly, Marilyn Manson, Tool, Incubus, A Perfect Circle, Kittie, Deftones, Korn and the likes... this album's for you!
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