Review: Hinder - ‘Take It To The Limit’
Posted: November 8th, 2008
Contributed By: Nick
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Purchase @ Amazon.com Release Date: November 4, 2008 via Universal Republic |
| Hinder is: Austin Winkler (Vocals) Joe “Blower” Garvey (Guitar) Mark King (Guitar) Mike Rodden (Bass) Cody Hanson (Drums) |
Overview: If the success of Hinder’s debut album ‘Extreme Behavior‘ was measured in SoCo Limes and Jagerbombs, than three million of you who are checking this review out (who are 21+ years old of course) should be cited for reading while intoxicated right now, even though ‘Extreme Behavior‘ has been on sale since September of three years ago. Longtime A&R viking for Universal Republic Records Tom Mackay was foaming at the mouth after taking a listen to the demos Hinder recorded up in Vancouver with producer Brian Howes. And despite a measly three local shows to their name, this Oklahoma City wrecking crew was soon sitting cool in the Madison Avenue office of Universal Republic Records, inking a major label deal. Hinder returned to Howes to track ‘Extreme Behavior‘ and the album sold in steady numbers due to rigorous touring and the breakthrough success of its first single, “Get Stoned”. Then the eighth track from the album, a ballad some of you may have heard called “Lips of An Angel”, hit the airwaves and redefined the smash hit. A multi-format chart topper, “Lips of An Angel” paid the rent of Hinder’s stay in the top ten of Billboard’s album sales, and the band jumped from sell-out headlining dates at clubs to sell-out headlining dates in arenas. Hinder wrapped up all things ‘Extreme Behavior‘ around Christmas 2007, before making their trek back to Vancouver and to Brian Howes for the start of album number two. Back and ready to rumble, Hinder storm back onto the scene with ‘Take It To The Limit‘, an album with lofty expectations. Two singles from record, “Use Me” and “Without You”, are currently spinning at rock and mainstream outlets respectively. Catch Hinder on the Jagermeister Tour this fall with Trapt and TuneLab cronies Rev Theory.
The Good: Ready to go for a wild f–kin’ ride? Strap in, hold on, wrap it up, because ‘Take It To The Limit‘ arrives with eleven ways to knock you up. The album gets its heart beating with “Use Me”, a sharp and racy palpitation that refuses to be tamed. Prudent in its catchiness, “Use Me” carves the rollicking, throwback motif into ‘Take It To The Limit‘ with gritty and pulsating throb. “Loaded and Alone” sips from the same Holy Water which the prayers of Bon Jovi and company lived on in ‘86-’87, alive and well with boundless amounts of both melody and harmony. Vocalist Austin Winkler is bolstered by producer Brian Howes’ pipes, woven gracefully together to add another layer to the song’s already thick suit of color and mood. “By the Way” and “Bliss” might have earned undergraduate honors an album prior, but “Last Kiss Goodbye” is the graduate degree the aforementioned pair wish they could have. A histrionic, diary-like unfolding of a relationship’s final smooch, the band saves face by not falling to their knees in a parade of tears, instead sprinkling “Last Kiss Goodbye” with a luminous and sun-kissed vibe that establishes a more positive feeling of closure. This bubbling break-up number goes beyond the initial sever, and has enough happy-happy-joy-joy in its tank to pick you up after your ex-sex circus crashes and burns. “Up All Night” blazes with burly, foot-stomping verses and choruses built with anthemic, gang vocal roars and call out hooks, keeping your slumber party or all-nighter raging until dawn; if you do so happen to fall victim to sleep, never fear, because the bad to the boneriffic “Up All Night” will wake you with one hell of a morning wood. “Without You” is the first taste pop radio is getting of ‘Take It To The Limit‘, boasting all the credentials that propelled “Lips of An Angel” to stardom. Unlike its predecessor, the heartstring-tugging photo album-echoing catharsis that is “Without You” packs a greater shelf life and repeat listenability, in the event pop radio just so happens to do the unthinkable and spin a song so much it becomes unbearable. “Take It To The Limit” is one title track kid that does its papa bear proud. This high-impact, high-velocity saunter drives itself into your senses, a shock treatment capable of getting a pulse from the already pronounced. Top things off with a dollop of solo courtesy of Motley Crue axeman Mick Mars, and you’ve got yourself the best rock jam to crank up next time you and a “partner” jump in the bed. Flickering in the sky with streams of wishful thinking and blissful nostalgia is “The Best Is Yet to Come”, dazzling you with sentimentality and lush embellishments that include doleful, yet epic and towering guitar licks and the warm embrace of orchestral overtones. Much like Shinedown’s “Second Chance”, this sensual baby is not far from finding itself quoted in the signatures of high school seniors’ yearbooks, a dynamite hymn of graduation that only needs SAT’s and library fines to get out of the way before it can turn its tassel to the left. The sweetest child ‘o ‘Take It To The Limit‘ and the perfect follow up single to “Use Me” is “Heaven Sent”, bumping you out of your chair and into a shakin’, swingin’ sing along frenzy. Robin Diaz (the drummer who performs on both Hinder albums) throws a direct allusion to ‘Extreme Behavior‘ during “Heaven Sent”, chipping off two consecutive sixteenth note splash hits in the same manner as he did on “How Long”; although this might not seem like much, Diaz writes a sense of familiarity into the new sound scape of ‘Take It To The Limit‘ that slyly shows the band hasn’t thrown its fruitful history away. While the stars of “Thing For You” charge their batteries, the song starts off on an ethereal and whimsical glide that delicately rises higher into the celestial heavens with each tender and moonstruck lyric delivered by Austin Winkler. Once the soaring chorus beams, “Thing For You” twinkles with more zeal than that little star made famous by nursery rhyme ever could. In fact, Austin could have sung “Thing For You” to new wife Jami Miller on the altar at their Maui wedding this past July, and he would have ended the evening crossing the threshold with both a MILF-to-be and a Most Creative Wedding Vows trophy in his hands. Sugary and galloping, “Lost In The Sun” is a road trip bombshell, consistently vigorous as well as enchanting. The song with the most dark horse potential, “Lost In The Sun” slowly clings to you, but when it finally latches on, it’s sticking with you for good. ‘Take It To The Limit‘ pulls out with “Far From Home”, as Hinder resonates from deep down in their hearts and souls. Equal parts sultry and velvety, “Far From Home” levels you with some of the group’s most thorough dynamics, a gripping and honest finish to one of the best 42 minute joyrides you’ll ever experience.
The Bad: Borrowing a line from “Use Me”, we’ll take this section from the top. “Loaded and Alone” is without question one of the album’s strongest tunes (if not THE strongest), but I can’t believe just how similar it is to the progression and sound of “Livin’ on a Prayer”. The resemblance is undeniable, and this point is proved further by the fact that nearly every single person I’ve talked to that’s listened to “Loaded and Alone” share this exact same thought. The ending of “Take It To The Limit” doesn’t do it for me. Although the abrupt part of it works, it’s the awkward note on which it ends that makes me grimace a bit. Like “Loaded and Alone”, “Heaven Sent” borrows liberally from an 80’s rock classic, coming across as too close and too familiar to the setup of “Sweet Child ‘o Mine”. The placement of “Lost In The Sun” seems wrong to me. Using a more lively rocker as the album’s penultimate song is a solid idea, however “Lost In The Sun” doesn’t hit with the impact it should given its position; to remedy, I would swap the 10 slot of “Lost In The Sun” even-up with the 6 slot of the title track. Right before “Far From Home” closes up shop, there is a brief couple measures that serve as a flashback of sorts. An unnecessary Pro Tools gimmick with no purpose at all, this pointless last gasp foils what could have been a nice, gradual tapering off for “Far From Home”, as well as for the record itself. There is one thing about ‘Take It To The Limit‘ that’s had me thinking. Other than “Use Me” and “Heaven Sent”, I really don’t hear another single. As crazy as that sounds, “Use Me” and “Heaven Sent” are the songs that best embody that “middle of the road” accessibility which seems required for rock radio survival these days. This is no detriment to the band’s music at all, but I’m curious to see what the powers that be over at Universal Republic ship to rock radio once “Use Me” bows out and “Heaven Sent” runs its course.
Bottomline: I’ve read so many negative things about ‘Take It To The Limit‘ and I can’t understand why. Every reviewer makes the same arguments he or she did regarding ‘Extreme Behavior‘-the lyrics are corny, the ballads are syrupy, the songs are all based on boozing and not losing. Honestly, if you actually came into ‘Take It To The Limit‘ expecting to hear Hinder mow through six minute borderline progressive rock songs about quantum physics then it serves you right that you weren’t able to enjoy ‘Take It To The Limit‘. I on the other hand am proud to openly declare that I am infatuated with ‘Take It To The Limit‘, because I haven’t had this much fun listening to an album in a long, long time. With all due respect to Hinder’s first effort, ‘Extreme Behavior‘ doesn’t even wipe the shit of ‘Take It To The Limit‘, as Hinder have truly taken a gigantic step forward and crafted an album that could become, in my opinion, one of the albums that defines this era of modern rock music. I hope I don’t end up being one of the only reviewers who feels ‘Take It To The Limit‘ is something special, but then again Chuck Klosterman was the only person in the world who thought Vanilla Sky was a good film and from what I gather he’s doing just fine. So g’head, trash talk Hinder, my review and ‘Take It To The Limit‘ all you want, because while you’re busy doing that, me and the boys will be passing the Courvoisier, talking Blower into even crazier stunts, rocking to a loud, passionate audience, and not feeling sorry for a reviewer or naysayer that doesn’t know how to have fun.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Comments
Comment from ohgreat
Date: November 8, 2008, 8:26 pm
@Nick
Whoo! I agree with this review and a good one in a good way, esp with this line to sum up finely, “So g’head, trash talk Hinder, my review and ‘Take It To The Limit‘ all you want, because while you’re busy doing that, me and the boys will be passing the Courvoisier, talking Blower into even crazier stunts, rocking to a loud, passionate audience, and not feeling sorry for a reviewer or naysayer that doesn’t know how to have fun”.
This will shut those critics up of Rolling Stone and allmusic down for good, for once LOL
Comment from Mike
Date: November 8, 2008, 8:53 pm
This is a fantastic album. I probably agree with the rating.
Comment from mattjames1708
Date: November 8, 2008, 9:10 pm
Perfect rating…..i agree 100%
Forest Law should be poppin up.
Comment from mattjames1708
Date: November 8, 2008, 9:14 pm
And by the way Nick…..When Vanilla Sky first came out….it was hated…..now its going down as a classic…..so just wait this album will become one to.
Comment from Forest Law
Date: November 8, 2008, 9:31 pm
9.5? Seriously? Well, I suppose it might be very good for what it is - big, dumb, old-fashioned generic corporate rock. But for those of us who enjoy … you know, imaginative lyrics, complicated guitar parts and time signatures, singing that doesn’t sound like a Neanderthal with a hernia … I think the rating is more like -1,000,000. Intellectually, this band is on the same level as Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. And considering that all the members are well into their 20s, I find that to be rather sad and unfortunate.
Comment from Forest Law
Date: November 8, 2008, 9:34 pm
I will say this: Nick, Hinder have some VERY good people backing them up, which is essential for most bands to break it big - especially one with as many flaws as Hinder. But if they ever need someone to jump in and do publicity or PR for them, I think you would do an excellent job.
Comment from Jason
Date: November 8, 2008, 11:36 pm
“Should be cited for reading while intoxicated right now”
Lock me up because I am guilty.
Either way I agree with Nick on every single point he makes about this album. Instant classic.
Comment from Gravity
Date: November 9, 2008, 1:52 pm
Gave it a nine out of ten myself. This one’s a real winner.
Comment from Justinw303
Date: November 10, 2008, 2:48 am
Wow. After seeing the rating and seeing people’s comments, I may have to check into this. Even though I think despise how popular Hinder is when there are much better bands out there who get shafter by radio every day who deserve more attention and sales, I may just give them a listen.
BTW Nick, you seem like a swell guy, but I just can’t stomache your reviews anymore. No offense, but I just can’t stand how you make every sentence into a display of hyperbole and imagery.
Comment from Nick
Date: November 10, 2008, 7:42 am
haha thanks for your honesty bro.dont worry, change is around the corner for the new year.i myself am getting a little tired of this format as well.
Comment from Mikel
Date: November 10, 2008, 11:55 am
I like exactly the way things are myself Nick! But i’m always open to change of course as long as it’s for the better.
Comment from rockdawggie
Date: November 10, 2008, 1:04 pm
I do like the new Hinder disc, as it is a fun pop rock disc with catchy songs. I’d probably give it an 8.5 rating. I can’t help but question the 9.5 rating though. I know everyone’s tastes are different and certainly respect your opinion, but wow - a 9.5? I can’t imagine how some of the better rock albums of all time (Back in Black, Master of Puppets, Appetite For Destruction) fall into this rating system. If Hinder’s new album truly defines this era of modern rock music, we are in trouble. I do like the album quite a bit, but saying it may define this era of rock music is a bit of a stretch. At least, that’s what I’m hoping. Thanks for taking the time to review this CD! I know it was probably time consuming to collect your thoughts on it.
Comment from Justinw303
Date: November 10, 2008, 3:37 pm
Yeah, I’m torn on Hinder. I can appreciate their style and personality, and yeah they can make catchy songs, but at the same time I don’t want too many other bands to follow their path. But hell, lemme give this album a listen.
Comment from Justinw303
Date: November 10, 2008, 4:53 pm
I must say, upon first listen, a very good album. I’d say about a 8.7
Comment from Forest Law
Date: November 10, 2008, 6:05 pm
When I hear a song that doesn’t sound like inferior Nickelback (who are pretty awful themselves), maybe I’ll give them a chance.
All of these awful bands that are popular now just make me miss nu-metal that much more.
Comment from mattjames1708
Date: November 10, 2008, 7:31 pm
Wow…..ok forest law don’t ever run down a band again….ever…..im sorry to say nu metal was in my opinion the worst genre ever created…..thank god there really aren’t to many bands that do it anymore.
Comment from TaNbULL
Date: November 10, 2008, 9:53 pm
Forest Law: Just because a band doesnt lean towards what you think constitutes “good” music, does NOT mean they suck. Hinder are VERY good at the type of music they play. They do not suck by any means. I think this album is fantastic, and miles better than “Extreme Behavior.” To say a band sucks because they dont cater to your tastes is extremely immature. All of the members are very talented and if you think they suck so bad, I would love to see you give it a try. And yes, I do like Nickelback so I guess they makes my opinion suck that much more, but you know what? I dont like just this type of rock. I wont bash nu-metal because believe it or not, I actually like a lot of bands from that scene. So, dont just say I am some frat boy that likes to party hard and get laid, which couldnt be farther from the truth.
Comment from Deuce
Date: November 11, 2008, 12:44 am
It should be pretty obvious that if you are listening to a Hinder record, you already know what to expect. That said, why bash the record if you don’t like it? Are you really that shocked? Also, do you think that your opinion is magically going to undo the 3x Platinum status the first album has? Allmusic.com gave it a 1/5, and look where that got them. Make a relevant point or show some signs of criticism (rather than bitching that they didn’t make a metal album), or as they say on the interwebs, GTFO.
This isn’t directed at Forest, because Im not the biggest fan of some of the new “popular” bands right now either, but if you post a negative comment on an album you probably didn’t listen to, or were obviously biased against in the first place, your opinions are null. It would be understandable if the review was trash, but there is nothing to bash in this review. Good stuff Nick
Comment from drastic8
Date: November 11, 2008, 10:18 am
Good review. I agree that people that listen to this should expect a good time - it’s nice to get angry in a good way and pumped up from listening to some balls out rock. If you expect a deeper connection or meaning with this band you’ll probably end up feeling like a one night stand: used, confused, and wondering what the hell that rash is… while the fans of the album would criticize you for taking it too seriously. I’m all good, I enjoyed this album, so I’ll move on having a good time instead of looking for some deeper meaning in a coldplay album. Thats where the difference is for me: Hinder isn’t trying to be revolutionary - they’re just having a good time and have knack for putting that feeling in song. Sometimes you just gotta enjoy life.
Comment from Forest Law
Date: November 11, 2008, 4:10 pm
I listen to Hinder objectively. And if what you like is arena rock that sounds pretty much no different from what Aerosmith did 30 years ago, and songs that alternate lyrically between “I wanna rip off your clothes and have sex with you, woman” and “I’m sitting here all alone crying because I miss you, woman”, then you’ll think this is a great album. However, if you like lyrics that reach beyond what you learned in 5th grade English, songs that don’t follow the alternating verse/chorus (repeat 2 or 3 times) format, and standard instrumentation, this is boring.
Hinder basically have two songs - two formulas that they duplicate over and over again. They’re somehow even less diverse musically than Nickelback, which I didn’t think was even possible.
I like nu-metal because of the uncompromising rage and aggression that it had, which pop/rock acts such as Nickelback and Hinder lack. At least, unlike these bands, they weren’t pandering blatantly to women with all of that soft rock fluff. Go to one of their concerts and women outnumber men by at least 3 to 1. In some ways that may be a good thing, but you know most of them are drunk and looking to hook up with the band members. It’s like Motley Crue and Poison circa 1988 all over again, and that’s an era we didn’t need to revisit.
Seriously, how can you listen to a song like “Lips Of An Angel” and “Without You” and not get nauseous? And I always have a good laugh whenever I hear some couple describe the former as “our song”. No wonder they’re Hinder fans - they don’t pay attention to the lyrics.
Comment from Nick
Date: November 11, 2008, 4:28 pm
that’s “nauseated”, not “nauseous”
Comment from Mikel
Date: November 12, 2008, 1:03 am
Forest, you just don’t get it. People keep repeating this to you over and over again. I don’t know why that’s so hard for you to understand. I’m really starting to think you just keep posting these messages to get a rise out of everyone.
You talk about lyrics like they are the only thing that freakin matter in a song, and why must all music have rage and agression! You’re arguments are laughable at best. Let it go man, sometimes people enjoy listening to something not so serious and just let loose. Can you believe that??? What an epiphany for you that must be!
And weather you like it or not, the Motley Crue era is being revisited, and you’re in the minority thinking that it doesn’t need to be.
So you talk about subjectivity, but then you go on to say how people are dumb for listening to this type of music. Cut out the hypocrisy and just let people enjoy music even if you don’t get it. You’re not changing anyone’s mind.
Comment from mattjames1708
Date: November 12, 2008, 12:52 pm
Well said Mikel.
Comment from pen
Date: November 12, 2008, 1:31 pm
I would argue there’s ways to have fun without being a boozehound but I also know there are people who don’t know how to do that, so I understand. I have a couple friends like that.
I haven’t listened to the album yet, although I will, but I’m more interested in listening to the new Mudvayne, Nickelback, and Bronx, so it’ll have to wait.
Comment from pen
Date: November 12, 2008, 1:32 pm
I’d also argue that there are a lot of great lyricists out there who don’t write about either boozing or quantum physics, but I know you only just wanted to make a point and sometimes a hammer is the only blunt object available.
Comment from pen
Date: November 12, 2008, 1:38 pm
Speaking of blunt objects, I get what Forest is trying to say, because honestly I don’t really think there’s anything that great about this kind of music either; at least some bands like Buckcherry do it a lot better and smarter, but at the same time I don’t really see what the point is of making a big fuss of it here. People will either agree or disagree and you can’t change people’s minds, so why try? I’ve learned to just try to accept the way people are for the most part; it’s just so irrelevant. If people like Hinder, more power to ‘em.
I do get a little annoyed though when people try to make broad statements like “if you don’t like this band you must not know how to have fun” though. But hey, I also dislike “If you like this band you must be dumb”. There are ways to have opinions without being derisive, people.
Comment from drastic8
Date: November 13, 2008, 1:35 pm
I can see the formulaic approach of this kind of music - and again: lyrics in this genre can be pretty repetitive, I’ll admit it. AC/DC, Aerosmith, Crue, and just about every other musical group (rock or not) could be considered following a formula, but hey, it worked for them didn’t it? It’s a good time, plain and simple and some groups pull it off well. But people WILL disagree. Fact of life. I agree 100% with pen’s last paragraph and hold no disrespect for any one who RESPECTFULLY disagrees.
Comment from Forest Law
Date: November 13, 2008, 4:38 pm
I can at least understand why people like Buckcherry. They seem to be having fun with their take on debauchery. Hinder’s style just seems to be lethargic, joyless and workmanlike, exacerbated by the fact that about 50% of their albums consist of cheesy “songs for the ladies”.
Comment from Meagan
Date: November 13, 2008, 9:19 pm
I agree with Forest and Pen here.
I’ve listened to the album about three times front to back. I’ve given it a fair chance. I just don’t f–king get it. I guess I’ll never like Hinder. Their music just does NOT appeal to me.
Comment from Mikel
Date: November 14, 2008, 2:57 am
What a great album! :)
Comment from Brandon
Date: November 14, 2008, 1:23 pm
I know I’m in the minority, but I vastly prefer Extreme Behavior over TITTL. Granted, it was one of the albums that reminds me of a good time in my life (just the time period and that I was listening to the album then; not the content), but while TITTL is growing on me, I know I’m always going to like EB more.
Man…all this arguing. Gosh, some people like it, some don’t. Get over it.
Comment from Stretch
Date: November 17, 2008, 10:48 am
Fantastic sounding album.Simply put,anyone who likes this genre are going to love this.It is much better than EB too and I for one hope Hinder start getting recognition here in the UK soon as they have been pretty much ignored so far.
Comment from Justinw303
Date: November 24, 2008, 6:25 am
“I can at least understand why people like Buckcherry. They seem to be having fun with their take on debauchery. Hinder’s style just seems to be lethargic, joyless and workmanlike, exacerbated by the fact that about 50% of their albums consist of cheesy “songs for the ladies”.”
Have you even listened to the album? I’m sorry, but you’re an idiot. A close-minded idiot.
Did you honestly just call Hinder “lethargic, joyless and workmanlike”? Yeah, when I listen to “Up All Night,” “Take it to the Limit” and “Used Me,” I think to myself how bored and unhappy Austin sounds.
And what is it with your obsession on hating “songs for the ladies”? What is a “song for a lady?” Because there’s not a single song on here where I listen and think “Man, I bet I would enjoy this song more if I didn’t have a penis…”
So in conclusion, in the mildest term I can think of, you’re a moron. An elitist moron who not only wants to bash on a good band because they aren’t what you like, but then bash the people who enjoy the music. If Hinder isn’t your style, then don’t pollute the review comments with your biased opinions. Just stay out.
Comment from CorosionOfConformity
Date: December 7, 2008, 1:28 pm
I agree with Brandon actually. I prefer Extreme Behavior. But TITTL is a good album.
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