Prince Valium

Firstly i have listened to the album from start to finish about 12 times now. Some songs didn't need that many listens to sink in, but some of them did.

Album kicks off with 'loaded gun', this song has pep, it's got a punchy chorus and Whit sings the verse in a monotone style, the chorus sounds much deeper and is similar to Keith Caputo [river runs red era]. I like this song a lot, it's passionate, infectious and it's a great way to start the album. It swiftly moves onto the second song; 'nothing left', which is one of the lighter, easier to listen to songs on the album. Again, Whit's voice is the forefront, and the guitar work is noticable but not spectacular. As usual Whit changes his singing style each an every song [almost every song]. I do like 'nothing left', it's very melodic and i couldn't compare it to anything else i've heard even tho it's not groundbreakingly different! Track 3 is 'something new', which also appeared on the Medication EP. This time they have re recorded it, [which i think is for the better]. If you don't know the song, it's an absolute corker, it's moody and slow, but has a great hook, huge MTV potential - this song goes to 11. Track 4 is 'walk away', Whit bursts out into song straight off, no big guitar intro's or anything, If you're familiar with Stone Temple Pilots around 1996 era [tiny music], Whit's voice sounds so much like Weiland, even the melody is in STP style, the guitars are energetic and appropriate. Track 5 takes us to 'no direction', again this also appeared on the Medication EP and yes this has been re done too, I wasn't so sure about the EP version, but this recording I much prefer, slightly 'stonerish' takes a little longer to digest than the previous songs, neat lyrics too - I think folks will love this song or loathe it. Track 6 is 'underground', this has to be the golden nugget Medication have put out so far, it's an absolute diamond of a song, it starts with a clever but simple chord sequence an a eatheral tune that Whit sings over it. If you listen to the lyrics it's basically Whit reflecting over a friends death [Keanu Reeves girl friend who died in a car crash]. This song will leave you in awe.
'false idol' is next and this is where the album takes a different turn, from here on the rest of the songs are much moodier and heavier, to me this is more *metal*. 'false idol' is okay tho, it takes more of your patience but slowly you'll unravel a liking for this track. The thing that annoy's me is Whit sings a little more dramatically, he doesn't need to do that, his natural voice is soulful an more than adequate to put out feeling. Track 8; 'Xanax' is a great, again it's slow and heavyish, but the guitar sounds and subtle lead parts are excellent, very classic rock without the cliches obviously. I like the song, I did on first listen. I can see me listening to this for years and years. Track 9; 'superpop' doesn't grab me, it's slow and heavy, but doesn't offer anything, there's no lyric or riff that pulls me in, and like most of the album the drumming has no clever fills to remember or 'air drum' to. The remainder of the last 3 songs are similar to 'superpop', - 'now and again' and 'end of ends' i'm not keen on, i do hear potential in the track 11 'prince valium', it's a slow burner, but serves a purpose, this i can sense will grow on the listener more and more...

So, it's a solid, strong and sometimes eclectic album. It has some massive mtv potential and to me, if the band can stick out and remain determined i could see the same sort of success as 'system of a down'. I can see MH fans enjoying it, an i can see UKJ fans enjoying, you just have to enter with an open mind.

Enjoy