After a four-year hiatus from the recording biz, Richard Patrick returns with Filter, and his second release, Title Of Record. No longer in the midst of the mid-90’s industrial revolution, Patrick has taken big steps to produce an album that maintains the brashness of Short Bus, the band’s first release, but progresses with melodies and emotions not heard on his first offering. He hasn’t been afraid to display his direction in releasing a more meaningful album. The acoustically led “Take A Picture” is the perfect example of how Patrick can kick his industrial past aside to offer a broken down portrayal of the man in his rawest form.
The album’s first single, “Welcome To The Fold”, is a blistering wave of post-industrialism with a massively psychedelic segue that paints the ideal picture of the new wave of emotionally heavy, but still sonically tight rock ‘n’ roll. “The Best Things” blends pure electronica with Patrick’s softer vocals, which once again proves that his ability and ingenuity has grown tenfold since Short Bus.
This album flows more so than the previous one. Still, it looks as a whole to be a depressing vision that has high points, but not nearly as many of those as of the low ones. Voice is emphasized more, which shows that the man is looking out, with new sight, where the picture in music has grown considerably since 1995. With his Nine Inch Nails touring days far behind, Patrick is leaving some of that energy back there with them, and has progressed in a positive direction for himself and for his music. He’s true to himself, which many musicians forget to be when the almighty dollar is waved in the air. Filter belongs out in front, and Title Of Record should put them there.
+ rick hinkson
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