This is a prime example of what happens when you don't read a zine before you send them something.

It seems to me worth the 30 seconds to flip through the reviews list and see if you recognize a single name. I mean, it costs you $1.06-$1.29 to ship the cd out, plus it costs you a promo and an envelope, so it's likely running them around, what? $4 to send this out? $5? $4-5 is a pretty decent burrito, people. Would you throw away a good burrito? If you would, then maybe you'd like this release from nu-metal/Vedderists Soil. And if you do, then vaya con dios, and consider handing that burrito to the homeless guy you're stepping over.

And maybe hardcore, political punk, emo, and indie rock bands have spoiled my sense of what is considered passable as lyrics, but I think that, if your words are conceptually detatched from, you know, reality, they should maybe have some metaphorical significance, or at least be some sporadic stream of consciousness. And when you are being metaphorical or direct, you should likely avoid recycling 80's metal ballad lyrics, and maybe have your metaphors be deep or interesting, or at least above a third grade level.

I mean, "I'll be your superhero number 1"? What the shit is that?

Re*de*fine is kind of like if the worst parts of Megadeath, Alice In Chains, Creed, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers somehow morphed into one giant nu-metal beast. And I realize that, while I view that as a decidedly bad thing, there are likely a lot of you out there that wet your pants at that description. If you're one of them, this album might be your thing. I mean, honestly the instruments are played well, the vocals are that metal mixed with grunge sound...it's not like a bunch of kids made a rock record on their mom's laptop or anything. It's just like a bunch of heschens made a record epitomizing everything I hate about heschens.

BTW, is heschen still an acceptable term? I think I'm getting old.

-Dave Mandell