We Love The Underground's debut release, The Day The Devil Fooled The World, surprised me with its variety and passion. Singer/songwriter/guitarist, Brad Cox, laid out a tapestry of audible goodies for us that changed mood and tone from song to song. Thus, when Mouthful Of Graffiti arrived on my doorstep I had my doubts as to whether this sophomore release could hold up to the merits of the first. Could emotionally rousing songs such as “The Sharper Your Love”, “Writing On Broken Mirrors”, and “The Ties”, as well as the fist-pumping anthem of “Let No Hand Hold Us Down”, be beat by this new batch of tunes? I wasted no time finding out, snatching up the disc and hitting the road to spend some quality time. Unlike the debut album, which is composed of a variety of songs that drift back and forth between tones and moods, Mouthful Of Graffiti seems to be grouped into something of an A-Side and B-Side. The A-Side is filled with heavier tracks full of powerful drumming, thick guitar riffs, and insanely catchy choruses. Songs such as the opener, “Fits Of Rage”, “This Is A Warning”, and the behemoth of “Come, Destroyer!” lay waste to the unsuspecting listener. The use of synthesized guitars and keys add a sinister atmosphere and depth to that final mention, making me feel as though it would be a perfect fit for end of the world movie soundtracks. The B-Side of the album cuts back the heaviness in favor of flavor. The beginning of the second half consists of great moody songs before going into the final two tracks entitled “Take Me” and “Eclipse”. The former harnesses the feel of a bluesy 1950's tune, drawing the vocals back in the mix and compressing them. Throw in an obvious punk-rock attitude and style with risque lyrics and you have a pleasantly unique song. The final song of the album begins with a meaty riff before it slides into a jazzy, lounge music vibe. It relaxes the listener wonderfully, allowing them to wind down from the musical adventure they've embarked upon and simply be carried by the soaring harmonized vocal melodies and horns. When I reviewed The Day The Devil Fooled The World, I said that Brad Cox had a talent for writing great songs. The new record shows me that I wasn't wrong in the slightest, but it also shows me that he has a penchant for penning anthems to reach out to the deserted, the discouraged, the underdogs. On the previous record, we heard “Let No Hand Hold Us Down”, which called for people to rise up against injustice and make their voices heard. Here we find two outstanding enlivening tracks, “The Isolationist/So Alone” and “We Light The Way”. The latter is a call to arms for those who have been discarded by society, boasting that they are “the light” that was thrown away and can amount to something great if they use that fire birthed from their dismissal to their advantage. It's rallying cries and use of the occasional harsh vocal (which is new for this band) make it captivating! Meanwhile, the former song is my favorite on the record, full of passion and power. The message is so strong and the song so incredibly catchy that it could easily overshadow any modern radio hit – and I hope it's given the chance. The second half of the song takes me back to memories of listening to Guns N' Roses epic “Coma”. While certainly not copying the rhythm of the verses at the end of that song, I get the same vibe from both – a frantic verbal stream of thought that carries us quickly along to the end. While that may not sound like it, the frantic moment is comforting. It would be too hasty for me to say which album I think is better, but I must admit that the freshness in listening to the new album gives it the edge for me at the moment. Both records are filled with great songs, fantastic melodies and hooks, and a great deal of diversity – though the recent release groups that diversity into tighter clumps than the debut chose to do. Brad Cox continues to impress me with his songwriting abilities and the intensity he instills in each moment that's been captured, such that even the more relaxed moments are filled with emotion. We Love The Underground is undoubtedly one of the best hard rock bands to emerge in the last few years and Mouthful Of Graffiti showcases exactly why that is. For more on We Love The Underground, visit: Official Website Buy "Mouthful Of Graffiti": iTunes | CDBaby | From The Band! Official Facebook
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