Earshot - Two

Back in the autumn of 2002, I recall a friend of mine telling me of a band he heard on the radio (Earshot) who reminded him a lot of Tool. After hearing the song in question, and now the band’s entire second album, I’ve decided to no longer be friends with this person. Earshot is to Tool as Zippy Chippy is to the Boston Celtics of the 1960’s: They don’t belong in the same ballpark, the same sport, or even the same evolutionary chain. Now, it’s far too easy to get caught up comparing these two bands when the fact is that the similarities lie only in their vocalists and dark, bottom-heavy sounds. The comparison is valid only at the surface level. Singer Will Martin is like a more breathy and restrained version of Maynard Keenan. In a way, it’s too bad his vocals remind one of Keenan so much just because he possesses a very smooth and engaging voice. It helps him very little that his voice will always entice comparisons one of the most talented rock vocalists of his era. Suffice it to say that his vocals are not the problem here. Musically, Two is, to put it bluntly, predictable. It fits very nicely into the mold of alternative metal that rose to rock-radio prominence in the late 90’s. A few short seconds into “Wait,” you’re being elbowed by some very familiar mosh riffs that should clue you in to what is coming. Pull it back for an earnest verse, crank it up for the chorus, step it up on the next verse, break it down…you get the idea. Only at the album’s mid-point does it approach somewhat of a creative peak. “Down” possesses a wrenching chorus that sticks with you and a drop-off ending that leaves you wanting more (in a good way). “Nice to Feel the Sun” rides a sticky bass groove that gives its mid-tempo pace a bit of spice. The rest is mostly forgettable and safely played pop-metal. In the end, it's Earshot’s lack of creative energy that sinks Two more than any unfavorable comparisons ever could. There just doesn’t seem to be enough there to give them their own identity. There is a Tool song that samples a clip of comedian Bill Hicks using music as an example that drugs have done good things for society. Maybe Earshot just needs better drugs. [www.myearshot.com]