Gatsbys American Dream – Volcano

Concept albums are coming up everywhere recently, some of which receive instant fame while others just fizzle and die out. They are meant to captivate the listener, bring them into a new world and make them follow a story line that they would otherwise never have thought of. They are supposed to revolve around one giant central idea with many different side sections. So why does this one just piss me off?

Now, Gatsbys American Dream is no stranger to the concept album philosophy with their last release, 2003’s Ribbons & Sugar revolving around George Orwell’s Animal Farm; but that doesn’t help moveVolcano along in anyway. The album, filled with literary references once again from classic novels such as The Lord Of The Rings, The Lord Of The Flies, Jurassic Park and Interview With A Vampire, is not easy music to swallow. The songs are slow, boring, uninspired tracks with no choruses. Now, I’m not saying having no choruses is a bad thing, its just something that sticks out. Nic Newsham’s vocals are whiny, annoying and too soft to be heard at moments. The songs feel as if they are six or seven minutes long when they are only two or three, are are just plain weak.

Really, I like some concept albums. But Volcano isn’t one of them. Gatsbys American Dream prides themselves on being a diverse unique band with various pop hooks and a different view on the way music should sound. Sadly, that view isn’t a good one, so please, please stay away from Volcano. If you don’t, you’ll regret it.