To My Surprise - To My Surprise
My Thoughts: (Reviewed by O. Anderson)
Not exactly what you'd expect from a member of Slipknot, but To My Surprise is a ska-like band formed by the Clown, Shawn Crahan, from the death-metal band. Upon seeing the interesting music video for their first single, "In the Mood", I was immediately taken by the tune, and decided to go for the purchase. I was pretty satisfied upon first listen, and I also liked the packaging in which the CD came. Completely on the other side of the scale than Crahan's, who plays the drums in To My Surprise, day job, most of the tunes were up-beat, and up-lifting. I find that this band is pretty unique in many aspects. For example, a lot of bands around now-a-days have only one singer and hold true to that fact. In this trio, though, everyone sings, and it makes for a very diverse-sounding album. Though a lot of the songs are very simplistic, they definitely get you humming or singing along, as most are extremely catchy. I almost didn't believe that evil Clown from the band Slipknot was the same guy singing a song that you'd put on a mix for your girlfriend. One aspect, though, about this fact, that kind of brings the band down, is that in the pictures on the cover and in the CD booklet, Shawn Crahan won't show his face (because of revealing his identity for Slipknot). I don't like this. Even though this band is completely different from Slipknot, I often find myself thinking "Oh, this guy is from Slipknot," and not, "Oh, this guy is from To My Surprise." For example, Corey Taylor, vocalist for Slipknot, shows his face for his side-project, Stone Sour. While listening to Stone Sour's tune, I think only about Stone Sour, and not the fact that Corey is in Slipknot. It might sound like a confusing concept, and a weird reason to dislike To My Surprise a little, but it makes sense to me, and that's really all that matters, because I'm writing this review, and you're not. Other than that fact, some of the songs are too simplistic, and they sound similar to other ones. Also, the lyrics aren't very deep, and are also pretty repetitive. However, I would definitely recommend To My Surprise to anyone, including Slipknot fans, because I am one. Worth a purchase.
Key Tracks:
In
the Mood
Say Goodbye
Blue