Hierosonic - Pornos and Razorblades
Rating
RIYL
Rage Against the MachineMuse
Nine Inch Nails
The Postman Syndrome
Tracklist
1. Small Screen of Unknown2. American's America
3. From Yesterday
4. Before Autumn
5. God
6. Breed of Convention
7. Weird Sex
8. Numb
9. Threadbare
10. Single Complication
11. Virus in Change
12. Gift Pig
13. Circus Freak Love Triangle
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In 2003, Hierosonic recorded one of the best debut albums of that particular year with The Vision Cliff. In December 2005, they returned with the highly-overlooked (hence why it's getting a review in September 2006, on a site that actually made this album its featured release the week it came out) Pornos and Razorblades. While Hierosonic was fairly shifty during their more hard-rocking moments on their debut, their aggressive songs have grown by leaps and bounds on this record. Their always-stellar mellow tracks are just as good as ever, which means, in short, that Pornos and Razorblades is a more stable and consistent album.
However, this complete consistency also makes the album, in a strange way, a less intriguing listen, as there just isn't enough variety in comparison to The Vision Cliff. Their lyrics still stand out over everything else the band has to offer. Even people who aren't really into lyrics will stand up and take notice of the band's heavily socio-political slant. Truly, Hierosonic can write some great lyrics to go behind their sturdy, radio-ready hard rock crunch. Of course, in this unsteady political climate, it will be hard for this band to get that kind of notice. The best they can hope for is the conclusion of "From Yesterday" showing up in an awesome fight sequence or, at the very least, a trailer for an action film.
It's a shame that a band of this caliber goes overlooked by everyone. While Air America Radio could certainly champion the band, they fly under even that radar. Anyone who is interested in radical political rock should be able to recognize Hierosonic as the heir apparent to Rage Against the Machine. Those looking for a rock record with some heft to it without getting too overly experimental should find themselves quite at home with Hierosonic. Sadly, none of these people have found their way to this incredible band. It really is a shame, as Hierosonic is one of the best things to happen to accessible music in a long while.
Don't sleep on this album any longer. They've got the courage, capability, and political venom to go far in this world. They practically demand that you stand up and take notice. Their strong political stance does, however, keep them from signing to any label with even half a pair of testicles. If only their possible listeners would be so brave as to follow their lead and show the world that a label isn't necessary for a truly gifted band to make it in this brave new post-Internet world. Show them who's boss and make this album platinum.
--Ben Rice
Comments
Buckingham, PA
Dallas, Texas
West Deptford, NJ
Pennsylvania
What do you mean what happened? They're hitting harder now than ever.