In nu-metal it's a genre of extremes. It can go from the melodic/hip-hop influenced side (Linkin Park) to the angry/hardcore side (Slipknot). Trust Company fits closer to Linkin Park but there's no rapping or hip-hop in this nu-metal group. It's straight up rock. The band Trust Company originally formed in Alabama and were originally under the name 41 Down. DCide records offered the band a contract late 2000 and they released their first album. They started scouring the country for bigger label support and eventually signed up to the massive Geffen Records. Ironicly enough the producer and mixer for this album are the same people Linkin Park have used on both their albums. The mixer Andy Wallace (Nirvana, RATM) and produce Don Gilmore (Lit, Eve 6) and the album is very well produced because of it. Now to the songs.
Downfall - The song opens with roaring guitars and this is a good indication of what your in for with this album. How you like Kevins voice is pivital in wether you will like Trust Company. For some people it's so raspy but I personally like it. The chorus of this song is awesome and incredibly catchy. The song has an awesome breakdown and is one of many strong songs on the album. It was also the first single off this album.
Falling Apart - First the song opens with a clean guitar before another palm muted guitar comes in and then bang straight into a distorded bridge. The chorus again here is incredibly catchy and the best part of this song. Everything works well and the verses flow very well into the chorus. Another great song. The lyrics are pretty good here aswell.
Hover - Kicks off with a very melodic guitar riff, then the bass comes in and soon bang everything kicks in. A formula Trust Company use alot but always varied. Hover is an emotional song. The lyrics here are quite easy to relate to. The song is good but the way the vocals constantly are changing puts me off a bit. Another good chorus though.
Running From Me - This was the second single off this album. The same intro formula is applied here. One guitar riff slowly backed up and boom. The chorus here is the strong point of the song. The two dynamics of Kevins voice in the chorus make it intresting. Another pretty good song but slightly repititive.
Slipping Away - There are alot of good songs on this album but this could possibly the very best. The lyrics here are great, the chorus will be in your head for a LONG time, and the verses are incredible. Everything comes together to make a very memorable song and it's one which you will want to repeat straight after hearing it.
Figure 8 - Same intro formula here but this song really kicks in more than the others on the record. The lyrics are quite well written and it's chorus which makes this song great. Trust Company have a thing for writing good chorus's and this is no exception. The change of dynamic between the verse which sounds almost grungy then kicking to a melodic chorus works great. Another very strong song.
The Fear - This song is a bit like Hover. It was the third single release off the album. It's another emotional song but it works alot better than Hover. It's probably the most melodic song on the album and yet again Trust Company pull off another great chorus.
Deeper Into You - The two guitars harmonise very well here and make for a very strong song. The verses are great and the lyrics are very well written. When the chorus kicks in you can tell your going to love this song. It's very strong and emotional and will leave you thinking wow.
Drop To Zero - Unfortunetly the album quality drops off here at the end which is a shame after 8 very impressive songs. This song seems just bland. The major thing that is missing is a good chorus. This song drags on and it's not very memorable.
Finally - Starts off sounding very mysterious. The only mystery is how this song got put on the album. It's the weakest song and except for the verses it's almost a complete flop. The chorus is a pathetic attempt to be catchy and Kevins voice just doesn't work with the song. The lyrics are pretty bland here aswell.
Take It All - Trust Company reedem the final two songs with a somewhat better song but it's still not great. The song does have an awesome intro though. Lyrically the song is a good improvement and it does have an element of catchyness. The chorus is allright but not great. The only really bad thing about this song is the recording quality seems annoying. It's to trebly. Kevins voice is quite raspy and when it combines with a trebble sound of music it doesn't work. Otherwise a decent song and an allright way to end the album.
This album is worth buying for the first eight songs. There are some very strong tracks on this album and they do reedem the bad songs. The only bad part of the album is the end where the quality drops off but for the hard-rock/nu-metal fan this album will be one you should enjoy. The lyrics all relate onto negative things and that can get a bit annoying at times but otherwise it's a very strong album. Definately worth a listen and probably one of the better nu-metal albums of 2002.
Rating: 3.5/5 :)
