TRUE PARALLELS
With
True Parallels, TRUST COMPANY's second offering from Geffen, the band attempts to distinguish themselves from the crop of bands that sprouted up in the wake of the nu-metal movement. Their first disc,
The Lonely Position Of Neutral, was released right after LINKIN PARK and PAPA ROACH hit big, so the natural cynicism among consumers is that as more and more similar-sounding bands hit the scene, the more the genre is diluted, and the faster they all vanish into obscurity. One thing these guys have going for them is their ability to craft a song. The debut single "Stronger" is very radio friendly (duh...that's why it's a single, dummy), and while it doesn't totally shift directions from the nu-metal genre, it's strong enough for these guys to stay relevant. There are certainly enough disallusioned teenagers who would get off on it, and its "you can't bring me down" theme.
I'm a fan of songwriting; if a band breaks their asses to craft memorable hooks, then I'm happy with the result. I think they still have some growning to do in order to come into their own. I still hear a few Linkin Park-isms (especially vocally), as well as a little bit of a Lostprophets influence.
Why, given their strong writing skills, this band would chose to cover "Rock The Casbah" is beyond me. I was never a huge CLASH fan, and this version of the song isn't going to blow anyone's hair back. Thankfully, they follow up that train wreck with a catchy ballad, "Silently" and another catchy riff-rocker, "Erased".
I think Trust Company is one step closer to really defining their sound...a process that takes some bands four or five releases to accomplish. Let's hope they stick around that long.
