Review Summary: Earshot's most consistent album but not their best.
Earshot entered the scene with their debut album,
Letting Go, sounding scarily similar to Tool but mainstream oriented. Although their formula was a winner, the comparison between Earshot and Tool would ultimately hurt the band as they were often ignored as Tool’s shitty cousin. I would like to say that when Earshot released their second album,
Two, the public opinion of them changed positively, but that did not occur. Instead, the public still ridiculed Earshot for sounding too similar to Tool, and everyone knows what the wrath of a Tool fan is like. Earshot would forever remain under the radar due to this simple comparison. The thing is though, the comparison is merit less when discussing
Two. This is not Letting Go Part 2, it is the sound of a matured band. Of course, there would be much to improve upon, but it still signified the movement into improvement – a direction that was more natural for the band. One that hit harder.
In
Two, Earshot stripped away their Tool-inspired, pretentious bluster, and aimed for raw simplicity. It is an alternative metal album done right with no filler or weak spots, just solid, heavy tracks. Although mainstream oriented, the guitars are absolutely blistering unlike certain so-called alternative metal bands (Breaking Benjamin for example). To be honest, I believe that Earshot’s
Two is easily the most alternative metal album that I’ve heard. While the rest of the world tunes in to Breaking Benjamin, 10 Years, Chevelle, etc., I listen to Earshot (what a confession), and I’ve never regretted that choice. Earshot deserves a spot with the top hounds, but it seems they will always be the underdog.
The choruses in this album are ridiculously memorable, so I often have one of the songs stuck in my head unintentionally, it never fails. The tracks are simply structured, and simply played, but the band was never about the technical stuff. Ultimately for Earshot, the simplicity did not matter, and what mattered were strong melodies. With a penchant for strong choruses, the band brings the goods with gusto. Also, with Wil’s (the lead singer) raspy, dominating vocals, the band’s lead man provided a reason to be noticed. Although a standard alt. metal album, with Wil’s vocals, strong choruses, and a collection of instantly memorable tunes,
Two hits harder than you might expect.
