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12 Stones - 12 Stones

4/22/2002

12 Stones‘ debut album, released in 2002, only 2 years after the band was formed, is a good example of what talented musicians can accomplish in little time. 12 Stones created a debut album that stands strong in the post-grunge/nu-metal scene. With bands like Our Lady Peace, Papa Roach, 3 Doors Down, Tantric, Bush, Nickelback, Creed & Staind out there, these guys managed to find their own place. You can find musical similarities with a lot of the bands I just named but they don’t sound the same as one of those bands. They created a sound of their own, with smart song writing, a powerful vocalist and intelligent guitar players. Lyrically they are one of the best bands in their league. Sometimes religiously influenced lyrics pop up but they can be interpreted in many ways, so even if you’re an atheist you can get into their songs and also their lyrics. One of the strongest points of this band. With a decent debut album like this, their 2nd album will be highly anticipated.

Song by song review

Crash
Crash is an alternative rock song that has a nice flow. For this genre of music it’s very suitable as a single. It’s obviously inspired by religion. Which is something 12 Stones doesn’t mind showing. Musically this song hints to bands as Staind, Incubus & Papa Roach from time to time but there’s definitely something in the music that is different. Also, 12 Stones plays without a bass player but with an additional guitar player. That gives it a little different feel, but basically the song is a pretty straight-forward catchy rock song. Pure rock.

Broken
By far the catchiest and most mainstream song on the album, though the distorted guitars and distinct voice of Paul McCoy lift this song in the alternative rock genre. It’s very fit for radio though. With songs by Breaking Benjamin, Staind, Creed/Alter Bridge, Lostprophets, Papa Roach, and other similar artists doing well on radio, I suspect this one will follow.

The Way I Feel
This song is a little bit softer than the first two songs on the album. But this song is a good example of a song that builds up to a climax. The verses are slowly building up to the chorus and the lyrics of the song are probably religion-influenced but they can be interpreted in many different ways and will speak to a lot of people. It’s not one of the most original songs, cause it could well be taken off a Staind album or be a Breaking Benjamin demo song. But with the voice and the guitar riffs by 12 Stones it gets it’s own character anyway.

Open Your EyesThe intro makes you suspect a song based on distortion is coming up, but when Paul McCoy starts singing it seems that’s not the case. The song is pretty interesting actually. Yes, there is a lot of distortion in it, but it’s balanced out quite well and the production of this song is remarkably well. The lyrics aren’t the best on the cd but the song is addictive and will probably be a success during live sets.

Home
Home is probably one of the best songs on the album. A little mainstream rock-ish, but not as much as Broken. But it carries on in the same idea. Very tight song. Good rhythm and excellent vocals, well-produced and ready to go. Will do great during live shows and it would be a good single.

Fade Away
Up-tempo rock song. Very straight-forward. Lyrics that can be interpreted in many different ways. Sounds like it has all the ingredients to be a good song. Yes, that’s true, but it lacks a little originality. Though I must admit, 12 Stones puts everything in this song, which lifts it to a higher level and makes this song well-worth listening to. I won’t skip it while listening to the cd.

Back Up
Back Up is one of the most alternative songs on the album. Probably the most original song too. In it’s own way it is catchy and the lyrics are profound. I think this song, if well-performed, would be very successful live song. But also, this song is definitely an album track, not something that could be released as a single. But 12 Stones made a very decent, well-crafted song that will probably be one of the fans’ favourites.

Soulfire
Soulfire is another alternative track that reminds me of 311 sometimes but then a lot more alternative rock style. The song couldn’t convince me though the lyrics are not bad. Pretty decent song but nothing that sticks out. I guess with a little more thought this song could’ve been a lot better.

In My Head
Probably one of my favourite songs on the album. Has the same vibe as Broken & Home did. A little softer even, maybe. I really like the lyrics. Could be interpreted as a love song, though I don’t think that was the intent. I think it was a more religious intent. The song’s filled up with a few strong guitar riffs and rhythmic this song stands tall all the way. Good effort.

Running Out Of Pain
My favourite song on the album, and in my opinion also the best song on there. They lyrics are awesome, the vocals are perfect and this song just breathes the emotion that it suggests. Guitar in this song is very delicate and well-performed, as are the drums, which are built up nicely. This song could be a single, though I would advice against it. I think a lot of fans could be picking this as their favourite song though. I recommend this song to everyone who enjoys alternative rock or straight-forward rock.

My Life
A Mix of Staind, Creed, Nickelback & Papa Roach. Basically a nu-metal, post-grunge rock song. With thoughtful lyrics and soaring vocals, this song has the complete package. It’s a good example of what 12 Stones is capable of, musically. One of the stronger tracks on the album. There’s repetition in the song but just enough to make it great and not more than necessary, so the song itself doesn’t get repetitive. Paul McCoy shows diversity in the use of his vocals and the drums are tight on this track, while the guitars are central in this song. They are the focus that builds up this track. Everybody wants to be independent and make their own decisions. That’s basically what this song’s about. So this could be one of their more successful songs.

Eric’s Song
A good closer for this album. Fairly up-beat and up-tempo, this song has interesting progressive rock elements and nice guitar riffs. Very creative and very well executed. The melody/rhythm reminds me of 3 Doors Down a lot. But this song tends more towards progressive rock/nu-metal than 3 Doors Down’s music does. Also the distorted guitars and nice progressive guitar riffs make this song very different. It stands on it’s own and it stands strong.

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Review: 1 Giant Leap - 1 Giant Leap

4/2/2002

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1 Giant Leap
1 Giant Leap
2002
Palm Pictures

1 Giant Leap is an interesting concept. The composers/producers of 1 Giant Leap prove they can intertwine harmony and diversity on one album. The blending of many different world influences come to fruition in a big musical explosion that can only be described as an experience. One well worth it, I might add.

Not everything on this record turns into gold. Sometimes things don't feel exactly right or matches don't quite work out but other times the nail is hit right on the head. Sometimes there is plenty of commercial potential (My Culture, Braided Hair, Passion) and the record shows off with intellectual collaborations with, among others, Michael Stipe, Michael Franti, Baaba Maal & Neneh Cherry. The songs that immediately stood out to me were The Way You Dream and Passion as they bring out the different corners of the world and blend them together within a scope of uniqueness and inspiration.

You can consider 1 Giant Leap as an alternative 'band'. I use the term loosely because they aren't a traditional band. Producers Duncan Bridgeman and Jamie Catto divide and conquer. They composed a selection of songs, performed by different musicians. This results in an enormous melting pot of sounds and influences and miraculously they are able to weave together a solid album's worth of songs. The keyword in all this is 'harmony'. The record transcends boundaries, physical and imaginary ones. Starting out with the ethereal Dunya Salam (featuring Senegal's pride Baaba Maal) it combines influences from Africa with Middle Eastern spiritualism.

Further on the album we hear collaborations with pop star Robbie Williams (My Culture) which mixes in urban influences as well as electronic music, where 1 Giant Leap originates. While this track may have some radio potential it doesn't stand out among the other tracks from an inspirational standpoint. The Way You Dream however, which features Michael Stipe (from R.E.M.) and Indian artist Asha Bosle, is an absolute highlight as it blends sweet Indian sounds with Stipe's signature vocals. A prime example of harmony in many senses of the word.

The record continues with popular world music (Ma' Africa, Braided Hair) that have a certain catchiness to them. Ta Moko suffers from a bit of a bland arrangement. I'm not trying to say it's a bad song, but it has nothing memorable about itself. Baaba Maal makes another appearance on Bushes, which, also, is a nice song but doesn't quite stand out.

Then the next song, which has the appropriate title Passion, features Michael Franti. Michael Franti’s passion is obvious in this song. It is not only my personal favourite but also musically the most diverse song on the album. Together with Braided Hair it is one of the catchier songs on the album, and the passion and energy in it make it stand out. Bridgeman & Catto succeed in sending a message for harmony in the world by using harmony in music. The mix of artists, genres, styles, sounds and influences that come together on the record and on Passion in particular are representative of the search for a better world.

Daphne, the next song, featuring Eddi Reader (among others) is a very interesting song. It carries on for over 7 minutes, which might be a bit long, but it is very intelligently composed so it doesn’t get too repetitive. All Alone doesn't quite fit with the rest of the record. It is extremely spiritual and would be something used to induce a trance-like state. Slide it onto the Lion King soundtrack, however, and we have a winner!

The dreamy Racing Away floats a little bit, but in a good way. You get lost in the track that combines the best of the western world and the eastern world. It takes you somewhere, which makes it one of the stronger tracks on the CD. The closer Ghosts is very experimental and creative, in an almost esoteric way. It's hard to say which way I'm leaning on this track.

In retrospect, this CD is something you’ll have to feel, or even experience rather than just hear it. It’s a complete experience of music from all over the world, in which you can get lost. It’s epic, yet subtle. A great variety and creativity is displayed in these wonderful compositions. You need to have an open mind to really get into this and appreciate it as it is intellectual art. The keywords for this record are ‘harmony’, ‘inspiration’, and ‘diversity’.

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