Not at all Painful
Rob Bentley | Salt Lake City, UT USA | 07/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After seeing the music video for "The Nomad" on YouTube, I was impressed enough to pick up the CD, "Pulse of Pain," from A Different Drum.
I'm mostly glad I did. It was clear immediately that Michigan knows how to write excellent, memorable synthpop. After only two or three listens, several songs were firmly planted in my mind.
My only hesitation about "Pulse of Pain" is that it strikes me as being fairly top-heavy. The first four songs are the best ones on the album in my opinion, although the last two songs are also very strong. In between are several songs that all blend together for me. Still, six very good songs on one CD is pretty good, and maybe the rest of them will grow on me with repeated listens.
Here are my ratings of each song:
1.The Nomad-- This is a great song. It's got pounding drums and great vocals. It's starts off sounding very David Gahan-ish, but as the chorus approaches that changes--but in a good way. Based on the video, "The Nomad" seems to be about the singer's daughter. The line "Now she is my fortune" (repeated several times in the song) fits that theory too. This is a new favorite song of mine. 5 stars
2. Decadence-- The second song on the CD also happens to be the second best song. It's another fast-paced song with a great chorus. It sounds much less like Depeche Mode than "The Nomad." My second time through the album I was already singing along. It has some religious themes and content. 4.5 stars
3. Juveniles-- Yet another great chorus that sticks in your head and won't go away. This is another favorite of mine. 4 stars
4. Valley of Death-- This is the first slower song on the album. It's pretty while still being catchy and interesting. Good stuff. 4 stars
5. Hang On-- This song is a very solid, competent one that most people will probably like quite a bit. I just can't get over my problem with crunchy guitars, and this song starts off very crunchy and brings the crunch back into the song several times. 3 stars
6. The Gravity-- "The Gravity" is a slow song that starts off with some nice piano followed by a foreboding drumbeat. The vocals are really nice here. I expect this song will grow on me and eventually become a favorite. 3.5 stars
7. Shine in Silver-- This is a good song, but kind of forgettable in my opinion. 3 stars
8. Mysterious (Infected World)-- Slow, pretty song, but a little boring for me. 2.5 stars
9. Love's a Disease-- This one is a nice mid-tempo song that has some cool sounds and will probably grow on me over time. But right now, like the previous couple of songs, it's a bit forgettable. 3.5 stars
10. Demons Inside-- A solid song. My thoughts on this one are similar to "Love's a Disease." It's catchy enough; it's just that the songs are sounding pretty similar to one another at this point. 3 stars
11. Pioneers-- "Pioneers" begins with a sample of what sounds like a southern preacher quoting scripture. I've read several comments by atheists saying that the preacher sample ruins this song for them. I don't think they should let it do so. The stereotypical sound of the preacher makes me think the song might be making fun of preachers a bit. It could go either way, though. The song itself is beautiful. 4 stars
12. Pulse of Pain-- This one finishes the album solidly. Nothing that distinguished, though. I'll give it: 3.5 stars.
Overall, I'm glad I bought Michigan's "Pulse of Pain.""
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
