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album reviews

Serotone



Equilibria 6½ ( 2007 )
13 / Phrantic / Flaw / Shine Alone / Fading / Blinded / Try / No Parts / Lifespan / M.O.T. / Wide Awake

After forming in 2003, Scotland-based Serotone deliver their debut album. They've got two guitarists, a lead singer with a decent, powerful rock voice and they mix metal and progressive elements in their music. Considering they are based in Scotland, i'm interested in the fact they do this sound so well, Scotland isn't noted for it's powerful rock bands. It's a shame then the production let's down this release slightly, there's clearly a very powerful and talented band here with promising songs and they should have a bright future, yet the mix seems slightly anemic to my ears. So, the songs and the sound, the songs and the sound. Well, 'Lifespan' reminds me a little of Red Hot Chili Peppers, a band it's nice to be reminded of in some kind of earlier, edgier incarnation than that particular groups recent material. 'Lifespan' shows off the Serotone rhythm section well, with the bass and drums almost falling over each other with energy. 'Shine Along', excerpted as a single prior to the albums release showcases an attractive guitar line, nice vocals, mellow bass - all before exploding in intensity half-way through as Serotone explore their darker, more intense and frantic side.

I'm not convinced Serotone quite have enough good songs yet to launch an attack on the nations rock fans, but I like the way they've put together the elements that form their sound. They can appeal to fans of Pearl Jam as well as they can Nine Inch Nails. 'Blinded' for example has these layers of guitars thrashing away, yet the vocals hold everything together melodically. Special note for the bass player, I think the way he gets melodies into pretty much every tune on the album is a welcome change from funk bass lines or indie bass lines that sit so unobtrusively that they may as well not be there. No, the bass here is full and definitely adds to Serotone's arsenal. The closing track 'Wide Awake' hints well at Serotone's potential, yet the weak production, the lack of quite enough tracks that make you go 'wow' hold back 'Equilibria' for me. It's a shame, because there are some really interesting ideas here.

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