THOUGHT INDUSTRY
"Shortwave
on a Cold Day" (Metal Blade; 2001)
Reviewed by Rose Grech
Thought Industry (TI) is just what their name alludes them to be. When
you hear the lyrics it's obvious they put much thought and creativity into their work. It's not
the catchy predictable phrases you usually hear on the radio.
"Short Wave on a Cold Day" starts off with a surreal element, gets fast and upbeat then quickly
turns mellow and slow. The songs are mostly light, continuously keeping the surreal atmosphere
with a strong vocal presence.
The vocals add an emotional element that complements the lyrics, which are not overdone in any
way. The clever thoughts/lyrics describes a situation in an abstract way with a lot of astronomy
references. Each song has a new place setting.
TI sounds a bit like Weezer at times, but other than that there's no other band to compare them with.
However I believe TI in the past was metal and they were recently inspired to change their musical
direction.
This is their seventh album, so they have been around for over a decade and they are not ripping off anyone's style. Overall, they are interesting and have something different to offer, but it might take a while and an open mind to get accustomed to their rare style.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2001 by R.
Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 12 Aug 2024 14:34:00 -0400
.
