Point One - Unlucky Stars
Derivative it might be . . . you can hear NIN, G'n'R, Metallica, Radiohead, and a well formed punk ethic, all sliced 'n diced and spread around 'Unlucky Stars' like a serial killer's calling card. In between times, Point One flesh this album out with a densely constructed, sonically solid slab of highly melodic hard rock/ nu metal that's hardly conventional but very much in their own image.
Point One's third album is produced by Scott Humphrey, who's produced/mixed/engineered for Rob Zombie, Trent Reznor, Tommy Lee and The Cult, among others.

Give or take a few variations, the opening and title track is the album in a microcosm.
Ragged edged vocals, a thumping rhythmic crunch, thick cut riffs, stuttering guitars, in your face vocals and a sublimely melodic, almost Beatle-esque chorus. "All That Glisters Is Not Gold". Indeed not.
The charging 'Oxygen' and the sinister, dark edged 'Monochrome Mistress' kick in with galloping tribal rhythms, providing a hard hitting visceral thrill.

Lyrically, the band draw blood with the customised metaphors that pepper their often bleak but always human songs. Songs that generally focus on fractured relationships, told with commitment and conviction.
That said, it's worth repeating the fact that the band place a strong emphasis on melody. 'Crime' and 'Best Part Of Me' may well have the same, abrasive, uncompromising sound that percolates through the whole album, but like many other tracks here they are sweetened by gorgeous melodies and powerful vocal harmonies.
Humphrey's contemporary production schtick is most pronounced on 'Sometimes' and 'Drama Queen'. Clanging, cacophonic guitars mix with bass heavy rhythms, sturdy, spiky melodies and vocals that alternate between a brooding baritone and an apocalyptic scream.

Album standout might just be 'Cruel', if only because it turns down the intensity a notch or two. It cruises on a deeply satisfying chord progression and an eminently tuneful, cleverly layered call and response chorus.

Written by Brian
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Show all reviews by Brian

Ratings

Brian: 6/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.


This article has been shown 1800 times. Go to the complete list.



RevelationZ Comments











Review by Brian

Released by
Adrenalin Music/Wenzl Hopper Records - 2007

Tracklisting
Unlucky Stars
Oxygen
Monochrome Mistress
Crime
Best Part Of Me
Cruel
Drama Queen
Sometimes
Running Away
Bodies for Freedom
Pain That I Am Used To


Style
Contemporary rock / nu metal

Related links
Visit the band page

Point One - Official Website

Other articles


Z supported shopping






Ratings
1 - Horrifying
2 - Terrible
3 - Bad
4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

More details...


Daily Spotlight
D:A:D - Riskin' It All
CoverThis was my first D:A:D album and in fact the first time I really started taking notice of Rock music back in the day. 1991 t....
Read full review















Retro Reviews

(Alanna)
Icon - Night Of Crime
Cover"Night of the Crime" was the one - and only time for Icon in the spotlight, in my eyes. They were a midwest band that received some min....
Read full review






(Steen)
Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
CoverMy first encounter with Meat Loaf was back in 1993 when I'd Do Anything For Love was at it's peak. Everybody I knew hated that song but I thought there was something intriguing about ....
Read full review








Archive
 · Albums of the month
 · Retro Reviews
































Back to the top - © 2002-2011 RevelationZ Magazine - Back to the top