Seether
There are musical styles, like Alternative Rock, that become ubiquitous. Still, it's a little odd when an Alt. Rock group hails from South Africa - not exactly a place known for liberal attitudes or cut-loose lifestyles.
Guitarist, singer, songwriter Shaun Morgan paid for his Rock tendencies. An outcast from birth, his father was English and that set him apart from the other Afrikaans (Dutch ancestry), Morgan took a fateful step. Turning toward Rock caused his devout Christian family to practically disown him. Morgan stuck with it, hooking up with bassist/vocalist Dale Stewart and drummer Nick Oshiro. Seether was on its way. Riding the alienation theme, Morgan's lyrics were said to reflect his experiences, Seether scored big in their native country where their post-Grunge, wall of sound guitar, was in sharp contrast to the rest of the South African music scene.
Patrick Callahan was added as the second guitarist in '02. That same year, Wind-Up Records issued "Disclaimer" in the U.S. However, Morgan was unhappy with the mix so "Disclaimer II" was released in '04 with new songs including "Broken," a duet with Morgan and Evanescence's Amy Lee (an ill-fated romance had blossomed between the two). "Karma And Effect" hit the following year.
Oshiro served as tour drummer for Static X before taking on the assignment full-time. Kevin Soffera replaced him. But he soon left to be with his wife and concentrate on session work. Next up was former Nixons drummer John Humphrey who played on Seether's '05 release "Karma And Effect."
In the summer of '07 Callahan departed. Now a trio again, the group expressed no immediate desire to add a new member. "Maybe if the right guy comes along . . . we'll consider it," said Stewart. "But we're not going to throw somebody in the mix just for the sake of it."
"Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces" was Seether's third studio album. "It's been quite some time since we've had a single at radio, so we're extremely excited to be back in the saddle, so to speak," said Morgan of "Fake It." The song ended the Foo Fighters' 18 week run at #1 on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks with "The Pretender." "Fake It" was also #1 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks.
The 12-track set included "Like Suicide," "6 Gun Quota" and "Eyes Of The Devil." "We've adopted an 'anything goes' attitude for this album. We didn't restrict ourselves to straight Rock songs, and we were completely open to new ideas." He felt it was the group's best collective effort to date. Humphrey concurred. "I've never been one to sit and listen to my own stuff - but I have been listening to this one," said Humphrey. "I'm quite proud of it." That's just the sort of thing you'd expect the new guy (relatively) to say.
Nirvana may be gone but the approach or attack, lives on. Seether features sledgehammer guitars and guttural vocals riding roughshod over a driving rhythm section. "Gasoline" and "69 Tea," "Disclaimer's" opening tracks, are excellent Rockers. "Fine Again" features some welcome textural variety while "Needles" is a pure, dark blaster. Seether isn't going to make anyone forget the Grunge masters of the '90s but they are off to a solid start. "Disclaimer II" features re- mixes of "Disclaimer" tracks and eight new songs. "II" is the one to get.
"Karma & Effect is another strong, intense album. Check out "Because Of Me" and "Remedy." Even the slower songs, "Truth," and "Burrito," draw you in.
"The song started as a joke -- maybe with us joking that we should write a song girls will like -- but it became serious," said Morgan of "Fake It," the lead single from "Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces." "It's not indicative of the album as a whole." He's right. The loping melodic Metal track stands apart from everything else. Unfortunately, it's the album's standout effort.
Songs break into two categories - post-Nu Metal ("Like Suicide" and "Rise Above This") where lean verses give way to power choruses. When not rolling down that avenue Seether plods through the Metal darkness ("Eyes Of The Devil" and "Don't Believe"). The best of these 'heavier' tracks is "Walk Away From The Sun." Of course, Seether and their audience are far better served when they go at it fast and furious. If that's what it takes, Seether needs to "Fake It" more often.