Head Trippin'

So today I was hopping around on Ruckus (Ruckus.com) and I noticed that Jonathan Davis (of KoRn) has a new single out. Well....this I HAD to hear. It was alright. Definitely funny.
Pretty much an interesting observation/ode to the hip-hop/club scene with a heavy nu-metal spin. I like it...but it was musically just empty. Then I remembered that Brian Welch released his new cd not too long ago. Sure enough: the full album (Save Me From Myself) was available for download.

Before I give my full analysis of the cd I feel lead to clear up the air. I am not writing this
because I am a "Christian" and as such I feel the necessity to glorify Brian Welch for becoming another "born-again like me". First of all I feel the term "Christian" comes with a multitude of nasty yet true stereotypes. There is an unfortunate guilt i feel sometimes calling myself a Christian. I am a follower of Jesus of Nazareth. Yes, I call him Savior. He lived an amazingly revolutionary life on many levels. Yes, I believe he was wholly God and wholly a man. Yes, as far as my finite mind can comprehend his death through crucifixion was a necessity. It fulfilled prophecy and was the culminating sacrifice to pay penance for my "sin" (by sin i mean all those shitty things i do often...yes, the term "shitty" is necessary). As for Brian finding that same liberation/salvation/freedom in Christ (Jesus of Nazareth)...rock on. And for his open voice on the associated topics concerning his conversion: look into what he has to say. It is very interesting. Very cool.


Now...with that cleared up...

This CD blows me away. To compare it to KoRn would be an injustice to all of the artists concerned but i definitely see now that KoRn is not the same without Head but all that means is that KoRn is who they were due to the contributions of all the original members. Head has made it obvious that Save Me from Myself is not on any level an attempt by Head to produce a Christian alternative to KoRn. This is purely an independent album where Brian is free to express and explore his newfound faith just as much as his musical independence. "I want to make music that will help people. I want to use every dime of the money I make off the songs to build skate parks for kids," he said. "My life now is about helping kids."

The production is incredible-sometimes a bit overproduced but not at all at the sacrifice of raw passion as is often the case when an artist makes it and has the money for good equipment :). The music is HEAVY to boot and definitely not lacking in talent or listenability. No wonder KoRn wants him back so badly. "I miss that motherfucker," says Jonathan Davis of KoRn. Brian's vocals are surprising and beautiful, an accomplished mix of melody and throaty-passionate metal "screaming". Brian was definitely blessed with a capable voice as seen on the track "Washed By Blood" especially. His voice ranges from a breathy and low chant reminiscent of Andrew Schwab from Project 86 (on the track "Loyalty") to those heavy metal screams and melodic multi-part
harmonies. The music itself is also well-blended. Symphonic and choral orchestration meet up beautifully with the heavy power chord drive that epitomizes metal. The sound is complex but not muddy or chaotic with it's fair share of simple breakdowns. This album, if given the chance, will appeal to the metal purists, modern (popular) rock lovers, hardcore followers and even the new generation of screamo/post-hardcore fanatics.

Although lacking in exceptional poetic grandeur the lyrical content is deep and meaningful; a rarity among modern rock bands. Money for example is a warning about making money an idol. "Your god is money so bow down to it / you act so funny just look at yourself / you've lost your family / your friends all use you / you can't buy happiness so get down on your knees" Flush gives an honest description of the ugly side of Brian's rock and roll lifestyle past. Re-Bel opens up with a dare i say cute children's choir: "...sundays we all go to church but we don't even sing" the children sing of their woes while brian comes back with a message that they are not alone anymore; he feels their pain...or is it that He feels their pain? The title track explores his day to day decisions regarding suicide, fatherhood, his inner demons, his struggles to find happiness and contentment, etc. "God save me from myself! I'm begging You, God Save me from my hell!"
Die Religion Die screams "I'm sick of all your rules, there's so many...you put my name to shame. I'm everything you're not...It's time to see religion die." An obvious exploration of the pitfalls of religion in contrast to the relationship aspect of Jesus' gospel "children come and lay with me / I want you all to be mine". These lyrics will easily be interpretted as "preachy" by many but "honest" seems like a more fitting description.

This is one album i will definitely be picking up as soon as possible. Give it a chance.