Gary Schutt - Contingency Plan
Jef Scott Soto cohort Schutt has been releasing quality solo material for some time now. We reviewed his 'Loss 4 Words' release back in 2008.
But this new recording left me dazed and confused.
Surprisingly, it's all vocal tracks, whereas 'L4W' was basically an instrumental album, and a classy affair it was.
Here, Schutt has aimed to capture the mood of modern alt rock with punchy, zingy  melodies, sharp, taut riffs and buzzing guitars. 'Nobody Special' and 'Better' are fun, frantic poprock, full of energy and punky undertones.

There's no argument it's well crafted and well intentioned. Sometimes you need to change direction when success proves elusive.
But occasionally, on (the aptly named) 'Contingency Plan', when he reaches for that something more, that hard-to-pin-down, chord-striking moment, his vocals let a good song down.
The metallised 'Love Me For Me' is not a great track but is a good example. The vocals lack the passion and depth the song needs, conversely (and indeed, tellingly), when Schutt's axe solo intervenes, the track takes wing and flies. The moral of the story is . . . well, you fill in the blanks.
 
Having said all that, a couple of tracks, maybe three, allow for some form of redemption.
The progmetal-ish 'Bitch' is a cracker, with Schutt's vocal snarl a neat fit for the narrative, while the more conventional melodic rock track 'Wait Till Sunday' shows just how strong Schutt is at this kind of material. It's a powerful, memorably melodic piece, cleanly structured, ascending to an addictive hook.
Elsewhere, there's little variation in the style and pace of the album and a sense of sameness creeps in.
It's not until he pulls out heavy hitter, 'Tenfold' - a gritty slice of industrial rock lite - that we are hauled back onto the edge of our seats again.
 
No question, Schutt's a talented guy - he wrote, produced, mixed and played everything here, but not everyone will be enthusiastic about this change of direction, especially those who are fans of his undoubted prowess as an axeman.
But, then again, what do I know.
 
 

Written by Brian
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Show all reviews by Brian

Ratings

Brian: 6/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.


This article has been shown 1277 times. Go to the complete list.



RevelationZ Comments











Review by Brian

Released by
Palisade Records - 2010

Tracklisting
Nobody Special
Better
Love Me For Me
Dog
Bitch
Down
Let Me Let You Go
Wait Till Sunday
Nowhere Fast
Good Enough
Tenfold


Style
Modern Rock

Related links
Visit the band page

Other articles
Loss 4 Words - (Brian)



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

(Hashman)
Black Sabbath - The Black Box - The Complete Original Black Sabbath 1970-1978
CoverWell here it is, the absolute ultimate collection of material for the "Original" Ozzy-era Black Sabbath, a no holds barred complete anthology with deluxe packaging and superior remastering all package....
Read full review






(Alanna)
Wyvern - The Red Flame of Pain
CoverIn 1989 an album was born, as many albums were. An album so "special" that no one remembered it. The band was one of many named Wyvern. The cassette in question was from an independant label, and was ....
Read full review








Archive
 · Albums of the month
 · Retro Reviews
































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