A Change of Pace: Prepare the Masses

A Change of Pace
Prepare the Masses
Immortal
2006-08-15

Most groups release their debut and then tour the hell out of it, but the key is whether they break up and hate each other for life or learn from the experience and come back with a bang. A Change of Pace attempt to prepare the masses with a very solid sophomore release beginning with the ominous title track and its marching intro. Sharp, crisp but not too polished or sleek, it sounds like a band on top of its game a la Green Day or Jimmy Eat World. This leads perfectly into “How to Rape a Country”, a song full of guns ablaze with a hard, meaty, punk rock flavor. It’s political without being too preachy. The group also nails the whiny, soft pop rock staple of most “emo” bands with “I’m Alive”. But they hit a wall hard with the sullen and mediocre “Weekend Warriors”. It’s a brief blip though after “White Lines and Lipstick” kicks things back up to snuff as does the mid-tempo and crunchy “A Song the World Can Sing Out Loud”. The highlight is the groove oozing out of “War in Your Bedroom”, despite the cheesy “sexy” lyrical content. “Recipe for Disaster” atones for the miscue with more sweet power pop.

RATING 6 / 10