The Rust has released a new album, Anticipation. For those of you who have been anticipating something good, you might want to look elsewhere.
This album is the definition of cheesy teeny-bop. I knew people when I was 14 who listened to this type of music, but even then I thought those people were clueless.
Anticipation obviously seeks to be sold to a teenage crowd. The lyrics and instrumentation are both full of angst that reeks of bad salesmen. Instrumentation is generally drums, electric bass, electric guitar, male lead vocals, occasional harmonies, occasional piano, and the occasional acoustic guitar. The production style is heavy. Vocals are constantly loud and in your face. Guitars are loud and distorted with heavy power chord use (with some exceptions). The songs are completely hook driven, and a listener can generally expect to be able to sing along to the choruses by the end of the first listen.
Almost every song on this album sounds like something that has been popularized before on an alternative rock station. There is little originality in style, lyrical content and music. Most listeners would find it difficult to find one section of music that sounds like something they have not heard before.
It is probable that the band intended for this to be the case. In doing so, they may actually gain some fans, as it seems that there is a large group of people who like to listen to music that sounds like something they have heard before.
Production in this album is very well done, with mastering and mixing both being extremely fitting for this style. The individual songs are sectionalized in patterns that are consistent with this type of music. Dynamics also fit the mold. Even so, the taste is bitter.
Overall, this album is a properly produced piece. But, the lack of originality or interesting lyrics will relegate this album to success only in very specific groups of people.
However, with the right marketing methods and careful audience targeting (early teens), this type of music could be sold in mass. Credit must be given based on its potential marketability and catchiness, but the album has little going for it other than that and receives no further recommendation.
