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The band’s name is a reference to the many ‘isms’ that they feel are tearing at the fabric of society (racism, terrorism, etc.), but we see the band’s name as an acronym: It’s Sub-par Muse. Lead singer and songwriter Andre Mistier is clearly a big fan of Matthew Bellamy & co – a quick glance at the band’s top friends on their MySpace page confirms this – and the band’s sophomore effort, Urgency, feels like one long mash note to the UK power trio. There is no questioning the band’s talents as musicians, and lead single “Sacred Cows,” with its Morello-esque octave-jumping guitar riff, could pass for a leftover track from the Black Holes and Revelations sessions. The problem is the band’s slavish devotion to replicating Muse’s style. The title track alone is three Muse songs rolled into one, combining the music from “Time Is Running Out” with the lyrics from “Apocalypse Please” and “Butterflies and Hurricanes” (“If you’re wondering what you’re made of, now’s the time to see / Bring on Apocalypse”). Oh, and their bass player uses a lot of effects pedals, just like a certain Muse bassist. These guys could be dangerous once they find their identity, but for now, they’re just a group of highly skilled copycats. (STM Records)
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i think you got it all wrong david. just because ism plays guitars and bass and drums just like muse doesn’t mean they’re a copycat. they sound like a lot of things. but i wouldn’t corner them as muse wannabes.
i’ve seen ism play summerfest in milwaukee and they’re phenomenal.
the new songs i’ve heard on their myspace is really quite striking- both accessible and deep. and melodic.
and frankly, its nice to have critics like you around to talk about music, good and bad, but man, your review just makes you sound like a bitter old man. makes you sound like a failed musician who wishes he had the balls to try and be a rock band like ism.
And you’re comment makes you sound like you’re in the band or work for their label, and frankly, it’s NOT nice to have you around.
got me all wrong buddy boy. i’m a leinenkugel drinking midwesterner who likes my music and is very loyal to my bands. i don’t see why you feel like you have to be the only one saying negative things on this site.
Is that last comment aimed at me? ‘Cause if you’ll notice, I’m not stopping you from saying negative things.
You’re totally wrong about me, by the way. Cheers.
Then you might want to lay off the booze for a day cause when you sober up you’ll realize what a moron you are. I’m not the reviewer you idiot.
Aaaaaaand that’s all, folks. Sorry, but when a thread is reduced to name-calling, the comments section gets shut down. CC, I agree with your sentiment in principle (he clearly mixed the two of us up), but surely you can do better than just calling him names. Maybe next time.