Hurt - Volume II

Blurb
Hurt are quickly developing into one of the best non-big-name rock bands on the block - now that's a misnomer, but another CD of this ilk and they are going to be huge. Comparisons to Tool will follow, but they are closer to post-grungers Days Of The New than anyone else, and hopefully unlike Travis Meek's lot they will turn into something more.

The first single off this album is 'Ten Ton Brick', a powerful thumper of a song and this is repeated often throughout on 'Summers Lost', 'Talking To God' and 'Loded'. They have gotten away from their penchant for one-word song titles somewhat, 'Aftermath' is a great ballad as is 'Alone With The Sea'. The latter part of the disc fades away slightly, but will grow on you and rounds off an excellent composition. 'On The Radio' and 'Thank You For Listening' are odes to their growing legion of fans, and will draw out the lighters when they go on tour in the new year. They aren't trying to reinvent modern rock, they don't sing about themes that haven't been tried before, and they don't use any instruments that haven't been played before, but are certainly doing a helluva job keeping it fresh.

It's difficult for me to be objective with this band as they happen to be one of my favorites, but this is a very good follow up to their first album. They have retained their soaring orchestral compositions, and J. Loren's vocals are excellent.

Track Listing
1. Summers Lost
2. Ten Ton Brick
3. Aftermath
4. Abuse of SID
5. Alone With The Sea
6. Talking To God
7. Loded
8. Better
9. Assurance
10. On The Radio
11. Et Al
12. Thank You For Listening

Overall Rating
I give this one a 9/10 not because this is better than Vol. I, but because I underrated their previous effort.