Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Operator "Soulcrusher" Rapidshare Music Video/Mp3/Lyrics
Operator "Soulcrusher" MV PV mp3 lyrics/試聴 視聴 動画 映画 歌詞/뮤직 비디오/동영상
Overview: Although they have a single spinning in the modern rock top 20, and they have toured with the likes of Hinder and Shinedown in their short tenure as a group, there really isn't much known about this band Operator. But here's what we do know:
1. Guitarist Paul Phillips was once in Puddle of Mudd.
2. Lead singer Johnny Strong is a big, big dude.
3. No, this is not Soundgarden. Listen and you shall see what I mean.
Yeah, that's pretty much it-for now. After countless setbacks, Operator is set to launch their debut album 'Soulcrusher' on August 7. The band is currently wrapping up a trek with Black Stone Cherry, and will begin touring vehemently in support of said album in the near future.
The Good: 'Soulcrusher' is an album that "bleeds", in that the content of each song is completely revealing and shows the true heart and soul of the band. As the album opens with lead single, the grinding and sludgy "Soulcrusher", there is plenty of ground covered throughout the remaining ten tracks. Frontman Johnny Strong is a martial arts fighter by day, self-proclaimed rockstar by night, and his persistence and determination are shown in his lyrics, which really helps propel the album in an entirely new direction from all the "woe is me" shenanigans polluting the modern rock market. "Nothing to Lose" would do quite well as single numero dos, as its catchy construction and encouraging chorus which proclaims "If you've got nothing to lose than baby you've got it all!". "Make 'em Pay" is one of the more forceful tracks on the record, with a blistering pre-chorus riff and closes with an uncanny walk through the desert acoustic number, the perfect segue into the album's mellow moments. "So Little Time" features an awe-inspiring complexion, as its beautifully orchestrated opening builds up to a fierce and guitar-driven ending. "Delicate" sounds almost as if Chris Cornell did the track himself, as Strong's voice and the nostalgic feel of the chorus make this track sound like a track leftover from Soundgarden's late era. "What You Get" starts with gritty and blistering vocals, blends into what could be considered a modern day "Big Empty" by Stone Temple Pilots, and then returns to showcase some of the epic and crafty guitar work implemented by Mr. Phillips and Mr. Lixx. "The Only One" is a persistent stomp, as its fiery guitar work and vocals kick the album into high gear. 'Soulcrusher' returns to its melancholy side with the experimental and unique "Burn Up the Road", followed by the soaring "Black Cloud", highly reminiscent of Pearl Jam's "Dissident" in a way. "Good Enough" is compassionate and soulful, and could also serve well as a single, and the album shuts down on an explosive note with the fire-under-your-ass kick of "Live Your Way", a declaration of being number one, never selling short, and even melts into an atmospheric piano clincher that seals 'Soulcrusher' with a succulent kiss. Truly though, 'Soulcrusher' remains a hit in my book because of the bulk of the lyrical content, which focuses heavily on doing something with your life and fighting to become better than the next, an inspiring trait which many albums of a similar ilk lack.
The Bad: 'Soulcrusher' just comes off as a cliche record, from the skulls and "bloody" prototype of the album's artwork, to the predictability of certain parts of the album. Johnny Strong's vocal delivery becomes flat and uninspiring at certain points, almost as if he is purposely leaning back and letting Phillips and Lixx take the wheel and steer. And although both guitarists are skilled and proficient in their art, the use of solos is beaten and slaughtered beyond recognition. Solos in a handful of songs-ok, I buy it, you're good, that's great. But every song, even the mellow tracks-to me, that only shows arrogance and almost leaves you wondering if they can do anything else other than show what licks they can throw into every track just to draw attention to each song. The drum work is nothing special, although no fault to Pantfoeder, as 'Soulcrusher' was meant to be a guitar driven, vocal heavy record from the get-go. While Operator is gifted at changing paces throughout the record, their dynamics leave something to be desired, as they really fail to catch the listener off guard as much as they think they would. If the band decides to ride the melodic train during a heavy song, it either comes on a sudden drop without any room to take a breath or falls at the end of the song, refusing to build on any of the structuring Operator infused from the opening note of the album.
Bottomline: 'Soulcrusher' is a debut that warrants listening. Now many will be quick to tag this eleven song opus as "a Chris Cornell/Soundgarden ripoff" and yes, the band plays that card on more than one occasion. But the riffs are clean, the lyrics are energetic, and Operator packs some meat on their bones for a hefty amount of people to chew on and find something to suit their fancy. The only problem with 'Soulcrusher' is the way the songs are structured at certain moments, as each song seems to start and end in similar fashion, be it their most pit-ready anthem or a lighter raising ballad, the songs become fairly easy to dissect after only a few listens. Still, Operator's debut shows much more promise than many of their peers, and if you don't listen, Johnny Strong might hunt your ass down-and I don't think you would enjoy the soul crushing he would put on you very much.
Rating: 8 out of 10
1. Guitarist Paul Phillips was once in Puddle of Mudd.
2. Lead singer Johnny Strong is a big, big dude.
3. No, this is not Soundgarden. Listen and you shall see what I mean.
Yeah, that's pretty much it-for now. After countless setbacks, Operator is set to launch their debut album 'Soulcrusher' on August 7. The band is currently wrapping up a trek with Black Stone Cherry, and will begin touring vehemently in support of said album in the near future.
The Good: 'Soulcrusher' is an album that "bleeds", in that the content of each song is completely revealing and shows the true heart and soul of the band. As the album opens with lead single, the grinding and sludgy "Soulcrusher", there is plenty of ground covered throughout the remaining ten tracks. Frontman Johnny Strong is a martial arts fighter by day, self-proclaimed rockstar by night, and his persistence and determination are shown in his lyrics, which really helps propel the album in an entirely new direction from all the "woe is me" shenanigans polluting the modern rock market. "Nothing to Lose" would do quite well as single numero dos, as its catchy construction and encouraging chorus which proclaims "If you've got nothing to lose than baby you've got it all!". "Make 'em Pay" is one of the more forceful tracks on the record, with a blistering pre-chorus riff and closes with an uncanny walk through the desert acoustic number, the perfect segue into the album's mellow moments. "So Little Time" features an awe-inspiring complexion, as its beautifully orchestrated opening builds up to a fierce and guitar-driven ending. "Delicate" sounds almost as if Chris Cornell did the track himself, as Strong's voice and the nostalgic feel of the chorus make this track sound like a track leftover from Soundgarden's late era. "What You Get" starts with gritty and blistering vocals, blends into what could be considered a modern day "Big Empty" by Stone Temple Pilots, and then returns to showcase some of the epic and crafty guitar work implemented by Mr. Phillips and Mr. Lixx. "The Only One" is a persistent stomp, as its fiery guitar work and vocals kick the album into high gear. 'Soulcrusher' returns to its melancholy side with the experimental and unique "Burn Up the Road", followed by the soaring "Black Cloud", highly reminiscent of Pearl Jam's "Dissident" in a way. "Good Enough" is compassionate and soulful, and could also serve well as a single, and the album shuts down on an explosive note with the fire-under-your-ass kick of "Live Your Way", a declaration of being number one, never selling short, and even melts into an atmospheric piano clincher that seals 'Soulcrusher' with a succulent kiss. Truly though, 'Soulcrusher' remains a hit in my book because of the bulk of the lyrical content, which focuses heavily on doing something with your life and fighting to become better than the next, an inspiring trait which many albums of a similar ilk lack.
The Bad: 'Soulcrusher' just comes off as a cliche record, from the skulls and "bloody" prototype of the album's artwork, to the predictability of certain parts of the album. Johnny Strong's vocal delivery becomes flat and uninspiring at certain points, almost as if he is purposely leaning back and letting Phillips and Lixx take the wheel and steer. And although both guitarists are skilled and proficient in their art, the use of solos is beaten and slaughtered beyond recognition. Solos in a handful of songs-ok, I buy it, you're good, that's great. But every song, even the mellow tracks-to me, that only shows arrogance and almost leaves you wondering if they can do anything else other than show what licks they can throw into every track just to draw attention to each song. The drum work is nothing special, although no fault to Pantfoeder, as 'Soulcrusher' was meant to be a guitar driven, vocal heavy record from the get-go. While Operator is gifted at changing paces throughout the record, their dynamics leave something to be desired, as they really fail to catch the listener off guard as much as they think they would. If the band decides to ride the melodic train during a heavy song, it either comes on a sudden drop without any room to take a breath or falls at the end of the song, refusing to build on any of the structuring Operator infused from the opening note of the album.
Bottomline: 'Soulcrusher' is a debut that warrants listening. Now many will be quick to tag this eleven song opus as "a Chris Cornell/Soundgarden ripoff" and yes, the band plays that card on more than one occasion. But the riffs are clean, the lyrics are energetic, and Operator packs some meat on their bones for a hefty amount of people to chew on and find something to suit their fancy. The only problem with 'Soulcrusher' is the way the songs are structured at certain moments, as each song seems to start and end in similar fashion, be it their most pit-ready anthem or a lighter raising ballad, the songs become fairly easy to dissect after only a few listens. Still, Operator's debut shows much more promise than many of their peers, and if you don't listen, Johnny Strong might hunt your ass down-and I don't think you would enjoy the soul crushing he would put on you very much.
Rating: 8 out of 10
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