Endo – Songs for the
Restless
by antiGUY
Endo’s sophomore album “Songs for the Restless,”
helps make them far from your typical Ozzfest band. In fact, SharonFest
should be commended for really mixing things up on the second stage this
year with bands like Endo, The Revolution Smile, Hotwire and Depswa.
Forget everything you thought you knew
about this group from their debut album, “Evolve”. The band seemed to take
that title to heart and really did evolve for this album. The worn-out
rap-rock is gone and in it’s place the band really seems to find a unique
identity that gives them a distinction in today’s hard rock world.
Just what sets Endo apart from the competition?
That was covered in our review of the song "Simple Lies," which was included
on the Daredevil Soundtrack. In that review we pointed out that, “The generic
rap-rock vocals are replaced with a Morrissey like delivery set against
an interesting and dynamic modern rock musical score.”
But that’s only part of the story and instead
of relying solely on that formula the band branches out into moments of
straight-ahead modern rock, hard-core and yes some nu-metal. Taken together
it makes for a potent combination that really helps the CD from becoming
redundant. But it’s when the vocals delve into Morrissey territory that
this band really shines. A track like “Circle” is a real standout with
it’s trancelike verses and powerfully dynamic choruses.
The advance version of the CD I was given
to review starts off really strong with another track with the Morrissey
like vocals, “Clean Sheets (and a dirty mind)”. Endo effectively meld the
old school goth like vocals with powerful modern rock and even shades of
hardcore screams and that lays out a rather dynamic musical tapestry that
makes this song compelling as hell.
“For You” takes a similar track except
they leave out the hardcore elements. That would make this song a strong
contender for a single because it seems tailor-made for modern rock radio.
They follow up with the now familiar “Simple Lies,” another great exploration
of those two distinct musical styles.
“Remember Us,” takes Endo into a Finger
Eleven styled nu-metal. “In Time Will Fall,” is perhaps the best mix of
old school and new and the end result is nu-metal meets Faith No More,
especially the verses with Mike Patton’esq vocal treatment that gives way
to the other shades of vocals displayed throughout this album.
Who knew that vocalist Gil Bitton had such
a dynamic voice? He really showcases his range of style on this album.
A lot of the tracks are standouts with their tinges of Morrissey meets
modern rock or nu-metal and the band’s light to heavy approach works well
for them, especially on a track like “Madness,” another strong contender
for a single.
The drums are almost tribal on some of
the tracks and the band effectively mixes in layers of guitar. Taken together
with the vocals, Endo return with an amazing leap forward with this album.
There is no sophomore slump here, Endo have accomplished what few bands
seem capable of; they take things to a whole new level with their second
album.
“Songs for the Restless” will easily be
one of the highlights of this summer, if not the entire year and is definitely
worth checking out.
CD Info
Endo –
Songs for the Restless
Label: DV8/Columbia
Rating: 
Want More?
Listen
to samples and Purchase this CD online
Visit
endo's official homepage for more info on this CD and the band.
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