Album Review: Seether - Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray

Seether - Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray

John Humphrey - the band’s drummer -  described the album as: “...very strong, melodic, and heavy at times...”

 

I’ve been listening to this, the 6th studio album by the South-African post-grunge / alternative rockers, for about 3 weeks now and here is my verdict...

The first track, Fur Cue, greets the listener with an energetic and ‘crunchy’ guitar riff – very nice! Bear in mind that at this stage all I know about their new offering is Country Song, the first single currently enjoying airplay. With my hopes high, I settle in for the ride...

Shaun Morgan (née Welgemoed)

Shaun Morgan has again firmly placed his stamp as singer/songwriter on the album. His signature guitar style and usual guttural throat gymnastics are both evident on the tracks of this journey into the recesses of his mind. The theme of the record quickly becomes a sad and depressing cauldron of wrist-slitting lyric-soup – and not in the good way. Most of the content is directed at a faceless, nameless “you” and the lyrical themes are that of a teenage boy, sitting alone in his dark bedroom, sad and angry at his recent breakup [probably whilst listening to this album]. It seems that Shaun has a lot of betrayal issues still mulling around after his trip to rehab for Alcohol [and other] dependencies in 2006.

The album is not all bad though. There are some gems in the form of Fur Cue and Country Song, and perhaps even Tonight will get your feet tapping. Holding Onto Stings is pristinely produced by Brendan O’Brian. He has managed to keep that authentic Seether (and perhaps even back to Saron Gas) -'raw scratch on the back of your thought' sound, while having the luxury of a big budget. It debuted at #2 on the US Billboard 200 after its 17 May 2011 release and is Seether’s 5th album with Wind-up Records.

Amy Lee & the rest of Evanescence

Interestingly, this is the first full album to feature Troy McLawhorn as lead guitarist. Troy, then left the band shortly before the release of this record to take up his rhythm guitar duties with [Shaun’s ex-girlfriend’s band] Evanescence. The best song on the album, Fur Cue, is not credited to McLawhorn as he had already left before it was recorded.

The new album is far removed from their previous offerings. It feels as if they have lost their edginess, their fire, their aggression. There is nothing here that can even remotely compare to songs like Gasoline or Remedy and even less so for their heavier stuff like Fuck It or Beer.

The album is nothing special - it’s quite forgettable. In fact, once you have listened to the album once - there is no reason for you to give it another spin. Go buy the singles on iTunes @ 99¢ each. You’ll thank me for saving you the dough.

\m/

[Seether is billed to share the main stage with Avenged Sevenfold and Three Days Grace for the 2011 Rockstar Uproar Festival – I predict a Live DVD is soon to follow...]