Source: Album Cover
2012 was a pretty huge year, lets face it. Team USA left the London 2012 Olympic Games with 104 medals; breaking gold records once again. But, whilst the world of sport were in awe of their efforts, another world was celebrating just as hard. 2012 was the year of Halestorm’s groundbreaking second album The Strange Case Of…,which saw them become Grammy Award winners and the band everyone had their eyes on. Yeah, so that’s a lot to top…
A year on from their history-making achievement, and its the dawn of a new era for the Pennsylvanian four-piece. Their third offering Into The Wild Life carries as much guts and diversity than you could shake a stick at. If you’re a fan of Halestorm’s sassy razor sharp vocals and guitars, then you won’t be disappointed. Come to think of it, if you’re a fan of Halestorm adding just about every groove and quirk in the book, then you’re going to be absolutely stoked. One thing though, is that you’ll be surprised.
The album opens with ‘Scream’ in an unconventionally tame manner. Its a slow burner, but out of no where it holds up its middle finger to say its had enough. Electronic elements combine with heart pounding drum beats that effervesce into a catchy as hell outro.
The track sets the tone for a very natural and raw environment that the album was recorded in. Playing live in the studio means that every nook and cranny in Lzzy Hale’s vocals shine to the highest peaks throughout – after all, she’s rock’s most stella frontwoman on the block.
‘I Am The Fire’ and ‘Amen’ are fuelled by Hale’s compelling fierceness that’s seductive to say the least. Its hard to believe that explosive tracks like these – which even at times lend themselves to a darker, doom metal side, are laid beside tracks such as ‘Dear Daughter’. A heartbreakingly gorgeous piano thirsty hymn, its a stripped back and stunning addition to the album.
Although there’s talent and genre infusion all over the place, it does at points feel like a collection of songs, rather than an album. Its confusing to hear jazz café-like soul music followed by a fury of sexy rock n’ roll goodness. The tracks on this album are hard to critique, but there’s a consistent feeling of a lack of focus. If this is Halestorm being true to themselves though, then who are we to complain?
Hey, we’re big fans of a good American buffet after all.
