S.T.U.N. - Evolution of Energy

S.T.U.N. is influenced by Rage Against the Machine as Godsmack is influenced by Alice in Chains. S.T.U.N. isn’t a tribute band by any means, but it can’t completely stand-alone without the beams already in place built by previous, more significant bands. Unlike Godsmack, S.T.U.N. doesn’t progress beyond anything that Rage Against the Machine did, ironically enough because it doesn’t have as much energy. Regardless, hardcore Rage Against the Machine fans may find a quick fix in S.T.U.N. Those that seek a similar politically driven, rap/rock/alternative band may enjoy this album a lot, besides the fact that some of the songs sound like they were recorded in a closet. The lyrics are a combination of non-conformist-revolution concepts (“The only solution, That speaks for everyone, Stand up for the conclusion, Revolution“), corporate awareness (“Look what we're doing to the atmosphere… So the rich can make a dollar”), and a twist of Aldus Huxley’s A Brave New World (“Are you o.k.?, Am I really o.k.?, When everybody's got a drug, And everybody's got to lie”). This being said, the politics are pretty clear-cut, which makes me want something more complicated, lyrics worthy of deciphering perhaps; it seems a little too easy. For example, “The people that make the laws or rules for us they don’t give a fuck about us.” There isn’t anything evolutionary or revolutionary here in terms of lyrics, and since there isn’t anything fresh, the “revolution” message becomes diluted in normalcy. The same can be said for the sound. The production is pretty blown out in spots. The guitars carry a nasty crackling buzz that sounds intentionally placed in order to sound grittier (not another lo-fi band, please). Deliberately peaking your guitar audio is not a practical way to sound louder and more aggressive. It just makes it sound unprofessional, and when you have Sean Slade (Radiohead’s Pablo Honey, Sebadoh, Juliana Hatfield) producing your debut record there isn’t any reason it should sound this way. Just ask Alec Empire whether or not people like crackling-white-noise layered on top of songs. (60 Second Wipe Out was a total catastrophe because of this) Despite all the shortcomings, Evolution of Energy is not a bad record. It’s just not original in any way, shape, or form. As I said above, Rage Against the Machine fanatics might be interested in this album (they also sound influenced by The Pixies), but as for me I’m going to wait for the Zack De La Rocha solo album. If you’re aching for something energetic and original, go pick up a copy of Atari Teenage Riot’s Future of War.” There’s enough energy in that album to power a rocket to Mars. [www.stunmusic.com]