Madlife - Angry Sonnets for the Soul

Imagine Linkin Park if they had actual talent and a respect for music like these guys.I have to say, I was a bit leary when I read the press release for new-comers Madlife, because any band compared to Linkin Park, is generally not going to sit well with yours truly.  Yes, there was a time that I dug LP, but that was a long, long time ago.  Madlife have just released their debut LP on Universal/Fontana, and their sound is a hybrid of that late 90's industrial buzz music, mixed with hard rock.  The band's sound is reminiscent of LP, but with more melody and a classic hard rock vibe.  The first single on the record is a track called Be Tomorrow, which has a really catchy chorus and a great melody.  The song is heavy and a little poppy, and will be destined for radio.  It kind of reminds me of the more modern sound of Motley Crue.  Vocalist Angry Phill sounds a little like Chester from LP, but with more balls.  The songs are catchy and have a pop sensibility to them, while remaining heavy.  There are elements of the industrial, with some sampling involved, but I think the hard rock vibe that they generate, will help them stand apart form other bands in the genre.  Not a bad CD which should get better with more spins.

Bottome Line: Industrial rock with a hard rock flavor.  Linkin Park with balls and much more melody.  It would be intersting to hear these guys if they were to drop the whole industrial buzz sound and go strictly hard rock.  Now that would be cool.

Standout Tracks: Be Tomorrow, Everyone, Feeling Alone and There I Stand

- Ragman is wondering why Phill is so angry...