ON TOP - Topless

June 24, 2015, 8 years ago

(Toil)

Mark Gromen

Rating: 7.0

review hard rock on top

ON TOP - Topless

Third release for Philly based trio (debut full-length, and since, a pair of EPs). Four new songs which the (new) label insists: "features On Top's signature rock/metal blend from the previous two releases, multiplied by 10. Topless contains more aggressive, yet dynamic vocals; a broader array of hooks, tastier licks, dynamite drums, and a much fatter production." Precisely the criticisms leveled from this corner crucifying the prophetically entitled, nu-metal worshiping Top To Bottom Ep.

This outing shows a return to the traditional, retro-sensibilities of the debut, filtered through a dose of '80s Sunset Strip swagger. Although it doesn't directly refer to the band, witness the spot-on lyrics to "Got Me Runnin": "Been so long since we've been good. I don't know where we went wrong. I never understood, but there's no way to change the past." Plenty of guitar runs and catchy melodies this time around, but the vocals still occasionally recall Rage Against The Machine's Zack de la Rocha. A step (back) in the right direction!



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