ARTIST: Trapt
ALBUM: No Apologies
LABEL: Eleven Seven Music
RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2010
Speaking Their Mind
Photo by Eleven Seven Music
Written by Michelle Oberg
This platinum selling, “headstrong” band first made their appearance in 1997, and two years after their last record release they’re back with No Apologies. Trapt’s most anticipated 4th studio album; under Eleven Seven’s label, hit record stores on October 12th. Even though some may consider Trapt as being a remnant of a sound long forgotten, they still manage to progress and stay relevant with a mélange of sounds from different eras. You don’t get over a million views on YouTube by being mediocre. With the original release date delayed an additional month, they were confident enough to release tracks, including their hit single “Sound Off,” for fans via the Trapt website and then iTunes shortly after.
Grammy nominated Producer John Karkazis, aka Johnny K, took on No Apologieswith more dedication than just knowing the technical aspects of the music. He produced, mixed, and engineered to bring this rock hard album to life. The band, comprised of Chris Taylor Brown (lead vocals), Robb Torres (lead guitar), Pete Charell (Bass), and Aaron ‘Monty’ Montgomery (drums), said it took 16 months to collaborate on songs and sounds to create what they called, “The album they’ve been waiting their whole lives to do”.
Chris was quoted saying “Drama Queen” is his favorite track on the record. Though it was an enjoyable start, it was not my favorite. The heavy guitar riffs and raging drumbeats are noteworthy but it’s a bit too commercially generic. It will clearly be a radio hit with the catchy instrumentals and hook but if “Drama Queen” didn’t sound so parallel to past records, perhaps the reaction would have been stronger. They stuck close to home with this one and there are far greater songs on this record to so willingly agree with Chris on this one.
The self-titled album track “No Apologies” takes the lead in the most melodically soft toned category, which is a fresh sound for this rock band. The vocals and guitar flow so systematically with each other, it is surprising they were able to pull off this unconventional style of mixing rock with a fierce ballad. The uncontrollable urge to tap your feet along with this tune, and hearing it on repeat is inevitable. This song is available with 5 others off No Apologies via their website www.trapt.com for free listening.
The album favorites were ironically the first single to be released, “Sound Off,” and “Overloaded.” “Sound Off”‘s opening guitar solo ferociously covers the defiant title to make yourself heard at any cost. The instrumental influence heard in this particular song reference the likes of Rage Against the Machine. Vocals are another playing field entirely, with no comparison. Analogous visions of mosh pits, in support of the lyrics telling one to “sound off” is foreseen to set the crowd off into an undeniable frenzy of ‘good girl gone bad’ type reactions. Powerful lyrics backed with a heavy hitting team of hard rockers will guarantee their inevitable return back to the Billboard Top 100.
“Overloaded”‘s ability to achieve multiple sounds is all I needed to hear in order to fall into its vortex. The simultaneous guitar duo playing two completely different sets of chords renders this their heaviest song on the album. The fading in and out of the ever changing sounds that each instrument produces, including vocals, justifies it as their most dynamic song. It is ironically ‘overloaded’ with a cluster of tones, tempos, and pitch keys; as a listener you don’t hear that often and appreciate it. This track hands down gets 4 stars.
Trapt will wrap up their US tour in mid December. Check out their website www.trapt.com for remaining dates and album info, and the opportunity to hear it yourself before you buy it.