There’s really only one thing that makes an
excellent album even better: Bonus material. That
is the gift that STONE SOUR have offered to their
legions of fans by releasing a special edition of
their sophomore album “Come What (Ever) May”
which includes all the original tracks, plus 6 previously
unreleased tracks (one of those 6 is just a spoken
word bit however) as well as a DVD featuring 4 music
videos in addition to an *entire* live show (Oct.
2006 Moscow). Damn. That’s a lot of extra stuff.
And is it worth it? Are you kidding me? If you have
not heard this album before then I implore, nay, I
beseech you, do so now. You cant go wrong. I don’t
know what more I could say about this album that hasn’t
already been said, but I have to point out that there
hasn’t been an album with this much commercial
potential since METALLICA’s “black album”.
In case you’re one of the three people who don’t
already know, two members of STONE SOUR achieved great
success in the group SLIPKNOT: vocalist Corey Taylor
and guitarist Jim Root. Let me assure you however,
STONE SOUR is neither just a side-project nor are
they just another SLIPKNOT.
“Come What (Ever) May” surpassed it’s
predecessor, the band’s self titled debut, by
leaps and bounds in both songwriting and execution,
and represents the most flawless union of metal and
rock I’ve heard in many a year. STONE SOUR expertly
juxtapose accessibility with integrity by exhibiting
a hard driving heavy metal fervor, found on such songs
as “30/30-150”, “Reborn” and
“Made of Scars” as well as slower tempo
radio friendly ballads like the popular “Through
Glass” and the emotionally introspective “Zzyzx
Rd.”. And they pull it all off exceptionally
well. Don’t let the commerciality statement
bother you however, there’s more going on both
musically and lyrically than what popular hard rock/metal
generally has to offer. There are fully functioning
brains active behind the instrumental brawn, as evidenced
by the politically minded title track “Come
What(ever) May”, which shines a less than flattering
light on the Bush presidency, as well as the poignancy
of “Zzyzx Rd.”, which is refuted to pertain
to the vocalist/lyricist’s feelings on fame/touring
but which also could be taken as relating to the soldiers
serving in the Middle East (that’s my take on
it). Either way it’s a moving and surprisingly
sublime, given that the band is equally adept at bludgeoning
your face off with rapid fire metal mayhem.
Let me put it this way: Take the hard rock accessibility
of CREED or NICKLEBACK and combine it with the musical
integrity and maturity of lesser known underground
metal acts and you have “Come What (Ever) May”.
This album proves that a band doesn’t have to
sell out to prosper, and progressive brains and pop-rock
emotion can coincide with metallic brawn.
As Columbo would say…. “ah, just one
more thing…”. I simply *have* to mention,
after viewing vocalist Corey Taylor in his shaved
head glory… that man has a neck like a friggan
bull! Good lord what is up with that? I’m talking
freak of nature kinda bizarre here. Perhaps it has
to do with all that head banging. And when he gets
into one of his gut wrenching screams the cords pop
out and… well… you’ve just gotta
see it to understand. A neck of grandiose proportions
to be sure. Maybe that’s where he gets his powerful
voice from… it’s all in the neck.
Bottom line: More is better, and “Come What
(Ever) May was friggan awesome to begin with. Add
to that extra tracks (including an acoustic cover
of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game”)
and a DVD and you have something special indeed.
Key Tracks: “30/30-150”; “Come
What(ever) May”; “Made of Scars”;
“Reborn”; “Wicked Game”
Reviewed by Farron Watson |
