Simon Says… "Shut Your Breath?"

Okay then-but then we might not get far past track one here so maybe it's a good thing I don't take direction particularly well.

I remember these guys from their first attention grabbing go round a couple years back and remember 'em as one of those heavy-Alternative types but more in the vein of catchy Rock with a modern twist.

They got this funky guitar line at the onset of track one, "Hey You," and I must say it's damned good by the time the chorus rolls around-breathtaking?

Maybe, but very listener friendly and one for the charts I would think.

Described as "meat & potatoes" from guitarist Zac "Decibels" Diebels-just threw that in myself with the tongue in cheek thing you know?

Yeah they got the chops working for sure and throw aside any ill-perceived boy band tendencies and acoustic ditties, they're all out Rock & Roll here, cutting edge in the literal but figuratively forward without the cluttered clichés and mechanized feeds.

Down-tuned without the discord, they channel their brutality in more flavorful melodies, keeping the angst in check but still waiting to pounce at just the right moment when the verse gets a little laggard-"Syphon's" a good example and the foundation here's built into an honesty-nothing new-and channeled aggression with a very live vibe but never tilting more than say 60% to one extreme or another.

Tune three's kind of a throwaway but the next, "Segue," is a nice minute long instrumental lead in to the wholly dynamic "Blister" with its chord-grinding ferocity and Korn-like break beats, without the annoying Davis to go with them, that are in fact a commonality but workable when done right.

The epic seven minute "Dead Weight" has a slow burn theme built upon a twisted guitar lick and vocals racked with pain and pre-choral delight-as if "falling to pieces" could be put any other way-great tune and quite unexpected for a stellar departure from the usual three and a half affair.

In fact if there were one tune that would present their case for this new record, there it is. Eclectic, emotive and slightly daring, the band left their blood on the studio floor for this record and by all counts it's better than before and should take them to the next level... and Simon now Says, "Just shut up and listen!"

Released by Hollywood Records

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]