Review Summary: It's inconsistent. It's got some really good songs, and some really BAD songs. And it ain't 'I Am Hollywood.' But in the end, 'It Hates You' is definitely a worthy addition to He Is Legend's discography.
There's a very common, nearly standard evolutionary process bands follow when it comes to releasing albums. First, they release an EP that showcases talent and potential, and builds hype for the first full-length album. Said album then comes out and proceeds to take the genre by storm, causing significant buzz and a cult following for the band, as well as an impatience for the next album. The band, trying to offer something different to their fan base than the same rehashed material, produces an album that is separate, if not entirely different, than the preceding record. Fans oppose the change, declare it an inferior album, and we have what is commonly referred to as the "Sophomore Slump." The band recognizes this, and on their next album, usually try one of two things: either start from scratch and refocus their sound to create a new monster altogether, or regain the trust of their loyal fan base by taking elements of the first and second albums and mixing them together with some new features to create something different, yet familiar. He Is Legend, whose evolution has followed this process nearly to a tee, chose the latter route...and thus, we have
'It Hates You'.
'It Hates You' is an album that, as implied, takes influences from both
'I Am Hollywood' and
'Suck Out the Poison' before it and shuffles them together to make a cohesive product. Schuyler Croom and company keep the gritty, unpolished rock'n'roll from
'...Poison' as well as the satisfyingly awkward key changes and the addition of female vocals (though they're never as powerful as when they're used during the extended middle section of "(((louds"), while bringing back some of the extended instrumental bridges and hooks seen on
'I Am Hollywood' (and only present as separate tracks on the previous album). Also still around is the definite Southern Rock influence, though it's not quite as pronounced as before (which is probably a good thing--there's no "Electronic Throat" on
'It Hates You'). No, there probably won't be too many complaints about how the previous albums have influenced this one; in fact, they really help to define the album, and in some ways separate it from the previous two.
It's what
ISN'T present on the album that will probably cause the biggest upheaval. To give an example, there's a definite lack of great rhythm section moments on
'It Hates You'. Matt William's bass playing in particular really helped to define He Is Legend on their first LP (songs such as "The Creature Is Walking" and "Dinner With A Gypsy" wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if the bass weren't such a highlight), but it has tragically been downplayed ever since, more so now than ever. He excels the same as he ever has, but you can't hear him near as much as on previous albums, and it's a real shame. Croom's screams are also absent from this record; another shame, as Croom provided some of the most varied screams the genre could hope for (though he still throws in some pretty mean growls). Perhaps the most conspicuously absent component of this album is former guitarist McKenzie Bell. As the previous lead guitar, he provided some of the most memorable licks the band has ever recorded (remember the opening of "Either They Decorated For Christmas..." or the outro to "Dinner With a Gypsy?") With him gone, the band has gone through two or three replacements before finally letting Adam Tanbouz handle all the guitar work himself. He's not bad by any means; he gives the band some very interesting riffs (see "Dicephalous" or "Stranger Danger"), but there's a definite something missing with Bell gone.
With all these missing pieces, it's easy to think that He Is Legend has produced something incomplete. In fact, it's quite the opposite; it stands as a testament to the talent of the band that this album,
'It Hates You', is a very cohesive and polished product. Croom may not scream anymore, but he makes up for it with guttural growls and some of the most passionate singing he's ever done (there's also quite a bit of harmonizing in songs like "Dicephalous" and "The Primarily Blues," which is something He Is Legend has never extensively utilized). Williams might not have the spotlight in each song like he used to, but he is still able to create interesting bass lines in songs like "Everyone I Know Has Fangs," and thickens the sound so that it satisfies your ears when listening to it through speakers. Bell maybe absent, but Tanbouz steps up as best he can, concocting riffs that are as interesting and satisfying as they are heavy and dirty (and really, there's no better replacement for a band member than another band member that plays the same instrument). For all it has going against it, for He Is Legend to put together an album like this, one that sounds perfectly in line with their musical evolution as if there were no changes at all, is astounding.
But all of that is in reference to the actual music. The songs themselves...well, they're a different story. In true He Is Legend fashion, song ideas are carried forward from the previous album, and they give the long-time listener something to look forward to. "China White III" is (obviously) a continuation of the story set on the previous two albums (presumably the final part of the story), and just like its predecessors, it's a highlight on
'It Hates You'. This time, the story is told with an acoustic guitar and the softest vocals on the entire album, until an emphatic climax comes in and gives the album one of its best moments. The final song, "Mean Shadow," provides us with another epic closer with extended harmonizing vocals that (again) give us a monumental feeling of grandeur. Unlike "(((louds" before it, though, these harmonizing vocals are yelled by the band in rough, gritty voices, as though they had been through some ordeal and had nothing left to offer but these desperate voices harmonizing to a near-dissonant guitar riff. Magically, it's beautiful for the exact opposite reason that the gang vocals in Thrice's "Firebreather" are beautiful, and gives us reason to remember what would otherwise be a somewhat weaker track. "Dicephalous" continues the tradition of hard-hitting, riff-tastic openers with fast verses and memorable chorus (
"You've got everybody else fooled, but we know who you are!")...even a bit of that echoing jazz-tinged guitar known from "Dinner With a Gypsy" peeks out from behind the first chorus. Other songs wear their influences on their sleeves; "Party Time!" is reminiscent of both The Smiths (who else comes to mind when the word "please" is repeated so many times in a song?) and the band's own "Serpent Sickness," while the outro of "Everyone I Know Has Fangs" could very easily be mistaken for a Project 86 song. The overall best cut on the album is probably the slower, mid-album track "Stranger Danger." Of all the tracks on the album, this one comes together the best feels the most complete...so much so, that it's perhaps the easiest song to listen to despite it being the longest track of the album (at 7:32). Everyone's given a chance to shine; the subtlety of the drums during the bridge is appreciated for its beauty, while the interplay of the bass and guitar during that first verse is such that you don't notice the intricacy until you really listen. And of course, Croom gives us the best example of how his not screaming isn't a factor of him being able to display emotion. "Stranger Danger" is not only a highlight for
'It Hates You', but also for He Is Legend's entire career.
Of course...for every "Stranger Danger," there's a "Cult of She," a somewhat unfortunate track bogged down not only structure (it sounds like the bridge comes in at the first minute), but also by its position on the album (squeezed between "The Primarily Blues" and "Stranger Danger"). Actually, position plagues a few songs on the album; "Future's Bright Man" is a great track, but it might've done better earlier in the album...or even after "China White III." "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions" and "That's Nasty" are both rather forgettable because they are slower at times when we don't need slower material. "That's Nasty," in particular, gives us a slow, deep, crunching riff right after the beautiful "China White III;" a more upbeat track might've done better their (not that it would do much better elsewhere on the album, as it doesn't really go anywhere). "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions" doesn't quite know what to do with itself; there are some nice female vocals, but they do nothing for the song. It's nice to listen to while zoned out, but chances are it won't be making too many favorites list. Fortunately, these sorts of songs are in the minority; unfortunately, there presence bogs the album down quite a bit, and gives it an inconsistent feel.
So...what's the verdict then? As the crucial third album by He Is Legend, what people think about
'It Hates You' can either make or break the band. Is the flow of the album too jagged? Are songs like "Stranger Danger" and "Dicephalous" too scarce among songs like "Cult of She" and "That's Nasty?" Is the lack of McKenzie Bell a breaking factor for the band? I suppose that's a call the listener must make themselves. As for me, I'm inclined to believe that, even with all the inconsistencies and pratfalls this album has,
'It Hates You' fits rather finely into the He Is Legend discography. It shows growth, change, and despite all the missing pieces, listening to it is ultimately satisfying. Most importantly, He Is Legend showcase something on this album that hasn't been present since '91205':
potential. There's true potential on this disc; there are ideas explored on here that, if expanded and built upon, could lead to the creation of something greater than anything He Is Legend has produced before. What would happen if some of those female vocals were combined with the soft vocals of "China White III" before erupting in a dramatic climax? What if the harmonizing that is present throughout the album were utilized along side the echoing jazz-tinged guitar to create haunting melodies? These are simply examples (and probably bad ones, at that), but they serve to illustrate a few of the near endless directions the band could take after serving up this disc.
The question, then, is this: what will come of the fourth LP? The evolution of bands is only "defined" up to album number three; what will He Is Legend give us next?
'It Hates You', though there are definitely missteps present, exceeds the merits of it's predecessor, and so succeeds in blowing the door wide open for the band. They can go in any direction they choose after this; all we can do is hope that they choose the right one.
Personal Rating - 4
Public Rating - 3.5
Choice Tracks
-"Dicephalous"
-"Everyone I Know Has Fangs"
-"Stranger Danger"
-"China White III"
-"Mean Shadow"
