Into the Wild Life

Into the Wildlife is a rather brave title for this album. It conjures up imagery of riotous rebellion and untamed behaviour. Perhaps even a statement of musical intent? Sadly it proves to be rather deceptive as this album is far from it - this is a pretty domesticated beast.That's not to say it's unenjoyable. Repeated listens reveal a well crafted album with some enjoyable and touching performances. However, it's all just a bit too tame, lacking that bite and edge which was so evident (and enjoyable) previously.In many ways this album reminds me of Linkin Park's 'Minutes To Midnight' album. Not in its genre or sound but in the way that it also sees a band with successful, well received earlier albums spread their wings and push their sound out in other directions. As a result they've broadened their horizons and released what is perhaps their most interesting and diverse album to date. Props to them for doing so. The album is certainly a step away from the 80's Hard Rock focused releases of yore. The choice of recording in Nashville seems to have rubbed off on the music as evidenced in the overall looser vibe of the album and the country feel in tracks like 'I like it Heavy', 'Apocalyptic' and 'Jump the Gun' (one of the two bonus tracks of the deluxe edition). At the same time though (and also like 'Minutes…'), it feels like something vital has been stripped away leaving an album that sounds somewhat muted, less exciting and energetic than previous releases.At times it even feels a bit like a one finger salute to rock and metal fans, far more P!nk throughout than Sabbath. 'Sick Individual' is a telling example of this. It starts rather promisingly with drum fill and a monster Sabbath riff which makes you wonder where on earth they could go with this heavy doomy vibe but within 23 seconds it's been ejected and replaced with an P!nk-style pop tune that feels like it's aimed at teenagers. All brattish and sweary for the sake of it. It feels forced and contrived. There's no attempt to bring the doomy riff back in or integrate it in to the song in any way at all. What a blooming' tease! What waste of possible direction especially from a band proclaiming 'I Like it Heavy' later on. It's not like they really needed another mid-paced rock-lite track as this album is stuffed with them and rarely manages to step up to any serious horn-throwing rock.When it does it's great. 'Amen' is a fantastic rocker. A catchy, southern rock tinged affair that's been going round my head for days. Upbeat, rocky and rousingly rhythmic in the chorus, it shows off what the band can do when they let they loosen the leash a bit more. To be fair it's not the only ballsy track. 'Apocalyptic' also manages to turn the dial up for a while with some swagger and 'Mayhem' has a certain heads-down bash it out punky propulsion to it.Album openers 'Scream' and 'I Am the Fire' are also rock-ish but the former sounds over-processed with it's electronic underbelly and layers of effects. The latter manages to be more rousing in its chorus and is particularly glorious in its middle eighth/bridge where Lzzy's pipes get to open up.Speaking of which the vocals are stand-out as always. Aggressive when they have to be, soft and tender when required, they are a thing to behold and are as enjoyable as you'd expect.But then, sooner or later, were back into P!nk territory - 'Dear Daughter', 'Bad Girls World', 'Gonna Get Mine' and 'What Sober Couldn't Say' all sound a bit too much in that vein for my liking. I don't feel this helps the band establish an identity of their own. Again, they're not bad tracks and are perfectly enjoyable in their own right, if you can take them for what they are. If that's your bag then I'm sure they'll resonate. Halestorm have always straddled a fine line between rocking out and quieter pop balladry and I don't suppose that this is really that much different at the end of the day. I've been enjoying this album since release but can't help feel a tinge of disappointment.Simply put, I'd prefer more killer riffs, catchy hooks and soaring vocals, and I wish this album had a bit more of that kind of goodness. A bit more of the wild life if you will.

Bought for song I Am the Fire and since listening to this album I like a lot of the songs my favourites are the following.Sick IndividualDear DaughterBad Girl’s WorldThe Reckoning

This album is one those pieces of work work which should enjoy much greater success than has so far been the case. The same is true of this band and, in particular, the incredible Lzzy Hale. She is one of the best rock singers of any gender. In terms of a female rock singer, and I'm aware there are some very talented women out there, Lzzy shows a clean pair of high heels to anyone; past, present and as far as I can see and hear, the future too. Without any disrespect to the other band members; without Lzzy, there would be no Halestorm.The songs on this album are, in the vast majority, simple superb. A little more considered, perhaps, than the previous albums but this is clearly down to the experience of life. Obviously, the stand-out tracks are I Am The Fire and the amazing Amen! But there are many more superb tracks.I cannot understand the rather sniffy and uncomplimentary reviews posted here. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but, to be blunt, these reviews are just wrong. Simple as that. As a musician of many years experience who plays pretty much any style of music, I can confidently state that this is a phenomenal album and Lzzy is on top form here. She is just frighteningly good - peerless. Just in case you didn't pick that up earlier!Just buy it!

Halestorm, Rocks. Well worth buying this album, I'd never heard Halestorm until recently,now I've got four albums.

Some great songs on this album but it could do with more hooks and guitar. One reviewer complained they wanted less guitar on one song, but I would have loved more fills. Every so often on the album I was just wanting them to let the guitars free, a bit more. To me it just sounds a bit diluted in the production. At one point I was just feeling ‘turn up the guitar(s)’. If you really like the 1st album then you may be disappointed that drive of clean guitar alongside the vocals is missing here. That said the songs are good and what I have seen live really rocked. I am not sure why they did not get this across on the album and wonder if they were shifting towards a more general sound on record. Lzzys voice is great but cracks on a few songs either she needs to rest her voice or they were was going for this. Don’t get me wrong it is still a great voice but if they were going for this sound then for me it did add to songs. They are a couple of electronic enhancements/effects on the album which are not needed. For example on the introduction there are vocal effects which just come across as flat to me as Lzzys’ natural voice just sounds so much better. It is good to see experimentations but in some places it did not work or just stood out as new. Again are they just trying to get a younger audience with this? I gave this a three as the songs are great but dropped points due to the disappointing production, mix and the effect extras which are not needed on such good songs. THis may be a bit harsh as the songs are very good.