Over It are far from over
Somewhere between Nu-Metal and Emo, Over It have created a 12-track debut album full of potential and enough guitar effects to make your ears ring.
Although an alien concept in mainstream rock, an atmospheric, harmonic intro track launches "Silverstrand" into a cacophony of driven, rhythm-heavy rock tunes. Second track "Waiting" is well worth the brief wait, and is perfectly choreographed with pregnant pauses full of anticipation and melodic guitar blazing over overdriven power chords. Drummer James' Ulrich's tight style calls into question whether he is any relation to the mighty Metallica skin-pounder.
With three out of four band members singing, expect heavily built up vocal sections and sincerity expelled through raw lyrics. "Still dreams collide where words can't describe", the chorus line from "Shine" is especially eloquent and reading the lyrics in the album cover can't do anyone any harm.
"Shine" is aching and delicate, where "Ignore the Noise" is punk, with almost anarchic undertones urging you to "give up what you've got for freedom". I can't say that Over It have a completely unique sound, but I admire their lyrical honesty and soft-core political sentiments; there might be bands out there like them, but few have such a mature and rounded sound.
"Truth Is" is a bouncy, guitar-powered tune with extra overdriven kicks and vocal echo lining it for a hardcore, yet still happy go-lucky feel. Although "Avalanche" is more anxious and jumpy, a few almost Creed-like mellow vocal harmonies slip in, making it all in all a pretty upbeat tune.
The weaker songs tend to be the more poppy and light hearted ones, such "Never Get Enough" and "Chef Yan", which does have an intriguing title, but fails to expand on it. It's all very sleek and shiny, just an invasion of mediocre has begun now the stronger opening tracks have finished. Thankfully they've saved "Partner in Crime", a melodramatic, multi-layered punk number for the closing track, the garbled lyrics pour out at hyper speed in this sincere, symphonic onslaught on the eardrums.
So Over It might not be voyaging into uncharted territory, but their sound is far from simple and their lyrics are truthful and intelligent. "Silverstrand" is well polished and has some impressive tracks with perfectly harnessed guitar force and tight percussion making it a spunky, and stirring record.