Apex Theory - Apex Theory EP

What a nice break from all the crap! I saw the video for "Shhh ... (Hope Diggy)" and although it wreaked of fisheye lenses, sped up video, a hired crowd of actors, and other nonartistic video cliches, all I could think to myself was, "What a cool song!" Well the album is pretty "cool" too. Ever since Incubus's Science, bands has realized that a good singer can be a good thing over some pretty intense music; and now that's all exploited with bands like Drowning Pool and Flaw. The Apex Theory however, utilizes the harmony and heaviness to honestly create something different. There's not really much out there that sounds like this album. And even though they've been picked up a pretty hefty record deal, they've not changed for anyone. Great production has made up for the stranger moments in the album, which makes it that much more fun and easy to listen to. The singer has quite a quirk going on, with slippy and straight up weird uses of alliteration and yells, but always lands on something tangible - feels pretty nice. And Simple may laugh at me for saying this, but boy that drummer is good! He throws "1,2,3,4's" on his china during an otherwise confusing beat, giving the listening ear AND the band something to really grab onto - that's pretty hard to do. The production is fabulous, and although this release is only a measly and frustrating 5 tracks, the full-length is expected at the end of March, with a few tracks that will overlap from this one. The only complaint I have for this album is the length, which is really a teaser, but I would say the replay value is there, so the $7.99 (average) price is not too shabby. I've repeated this one much more than full albums I've bought recently, so I would call it a safe purchase. [www.apextheory.com]