This review is from: Plead The Fifth (MP3 Download)
This album punches you in the face from the very first song, and hardly let's up. The boys from Taproot have been here for quite some time, and I highly recommend buying all of their albums. "Plead the Fifth" is going to do some serious damage in the music industry, and Taproot deserves it. Better yet, their live show is legendary, and is as entertainingly energetic, and dynamic as this album.
The lead track, "Now Rise" comes right at you with the Drop A sound and returns the longtime Taproot fan to the glory days of the album "Gift". This track is already worth the price of admission.
"Game Over" does not let up in the least. Baritone guitars in your ears, with witty timechanges giving you that characteristic Taproot sound.
"Fractured" is the lead single off this album, and doesn't stray far from prior singles "Calling" & "Wherever I Stand". A crunching riff with incredible lyrics that everyone can relate to. And worry not, the Stephen Richards scream awaits you on this melodic rollercoaster.
"Release Me" has that hook that you will not stop singing. This seems to be the fullest and most balanced track on the album. It shows off Stephen Richards vocal range in a big way, and you will be moving your head to the crunching beat in no time. Have fun singing this one! "ah whyyy yi yi yi"
"Stolage" is the best song on the album. I should end it there. This will be Taproots hugest hit to date. Something very well deserved. A smash hit that I feel could easily be nominated for "Rock Song of the Year". Your neck is going to hurt after this cruncher!
"91lost" gives your ears a break and Taproot shows off their versatility. A melodic journey with quite the message. This song has characteristics of some prior songs on "Our Long Road Home". Some cool lead guitar action going on here, but no worries, the heaviness lies underneath the entire time.
"Trophy WiFi" again takes you on that newly quicker Taproot beat and then breaks you down to the definitive heavy chorus. Once again, Taproot doesn't let up with the intricate drumming distorted guitaring.
"Words Don't Mean a Thing" is a song that could also be on their former album "BLUE SKY RESEARCH". (my personal fav) A solid, solid rock song that once again is filled with the Stephen Richards versatility. He truly hits vocal ranges that are amazingly not normal. This song will be another great single, with the incredible bridge and overlaying thick guitars.
"Left Behind" brings you back to the thrashing early days of Taproot once again. Another mosh pit basher that reminds me a lot of the heavy track "myself" off of "WELCOME". And this is the greatest live song in the history of Taproot. This is a very dynamic track and starts off musically innocent but gets evil in a hurry.
"No View is True" is possibly the best lyrical track on the album. "i've found no religion, but I still have faith" This is another song that shows off the melodic side of Taproot, with Stephen Richards growls awaiting you. I would say this is my least favorite track on the album, but still pretty decent.
"Stares" summarizes the entire journey of this album in one bashing song. This is my personal favorite, and it is downright epic. It will make you shake with the heavy basslines. This song has everything: incredible timechanges, the heaviest bridge i've heard on any album in some time, while the harmonic sounds of Stephen Richards voice are singing and screaming the entire time. "We are nothing but cheap wine, in the rush to become so fine" are some incredible lyrics on this song. This song is leaves you in awe.
Good things are in store for Taproot my friends. This album combines the baritone sounds of "GIFT", the heavy timechanges of "WELCOME", the dynamic song writing of "BLUE SKY RESEARCH", and the uniqueness of "OUR LONG ROAD HOME". This is and easy buy, and you will be recommending it to friends.
