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CD Reviews: Review of Next by Sevendust
 
 Clark Home / CD Reviews Home / Entertainment Channel / Bullz-Eye Home


Click here to buy yourself a copy from Amazon.com Sevendust: Next (Winedark  2005)

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Things have never been easy for Sevendust. How they are not a national hard rock darling is beyond me, especially considering they have toured with such high-powered acts as Creed and Staind. The band’s sound has gotten progressively catchier since their breakout, 2001’s Animosity, but they can still rock with the best of them. One of nü-metal’s few survivors; Sevendust has struck again with Next.

Next, the band’s fifth studio album, has been a long time coming as the band has had to dodge various obstacles. The band parted ways with longtime label TVT (although the label recently released a best-of - a contractual obligation I am sure) and also lost guitarist/backup vocalist Clint Lowery to the startup project Dark New Day. Brought in to fill the big shoes is Sonny Mayo, he of Snot fame.

Those looking for Sevendust to break new barriers with Next will be gravely disappointed. The formula is followed to a tee: Balls-to-the-wall intro riff, chugging verse, soaring, catchy chorus, and dynamic breakdowns. The good news is that Sevendust has always done this better than anyone else. What distinguishes the band from all the “too little, too late” counterparts that have popped is the powerful, heartfelt voice of lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon. His range is absolutely fantastic as he can go from a grunt and growl to a beautiful melody at the snap of a finger. Drummer Morgan Rose has always added color vocally to the music, and here he is getting more work than ever with the departure of Lowery. His punishing style dominates “The Last Song,” a breakup anthem that could easily have been a bonus track on 1999’s Home.

Mayo brings some new ideas to the table, and they flourish on the record. He adds some depth and complexity to what could easily be interpreted as generic, down-tuned riffing. His brief but engaging solo on “Pieces” easily propels it past its counterpart, “Enemy,” off 2003’s Seasons. The ballad “This Life” (written to celebrate the birth of guitarist John Connolly’s daughter) features some beautiful, intricately woven guitar work.

Sevendust explores many of its token topics on the record, including anger, isolation, and even joy and poignancy. The band has improved greatly lyrically over its past several efforts, and the songwriting on Next varies from impressive to startlingly simple. There is never a shortage of heart in what they write, and Witherspoon’s delivery has left many a crowd weeping from its power.

Next proves once again how talented of a band Sevendust are. They have all the elements in place, which has helped them survive the ever-changing metal landscape. Longtime fans will yearn for a true head banging-worthy song in the spirit of any track off their 1997 self-titled debut, but Sevendust has evolved and grown since those days. Next won’t win any originality awards, but it does showcase a gifted band doing what they do best. By now I’m sure Sevendust would agree that you can either take it or leave it.

~Bill Clark 
bclark@bullz-eye.com






 

 

 

 

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