Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Volbeat - The Strength / The Sound / The Songs (2005)
If I remember right, I've heard of Volbeat over a decade ago via a few music videos and this band being one of the bands my brother still listens to today. As great as they sounded, their sound that mixes rock, metal, and rockabilly hadn't really stood out for me, since I prefered power/symphonic metal at the time. And wow, I... I've never realized how essential their first two albums were for me. They're so incredible, and I can certainly raise my horns and bang my head to this music.
The Strength/The Sound/The Songs is one of the aptly titled albums I've ever comes across. The sound and the songs all have their strength with this diverse blend of genres. It's practically like late 90s Metallica but way better!
We already get to a h*lla catchy start with "Caroline Leaving". Then "Another Day, Another Way" has a similar pace to Hatebreed's mid-tempo songs in the instrumentation. "Something Else or..." is a softer track similar to Queensryche's ballads. "Rebel Monster" has greater heaviness and speed, perfect for the mosh pit. Then we have "Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza" with its catchy sing-along chorus to make a party rock anthem (none of that LMFAO bullsh*t).
One of the best songs here is "Always Wu". The riffing and vocals really have that metalized rockabilly vibe alongside another chorus worth singing along to. The riffing slows down without sacrificing any heaviness in "Say Your Number". Then "Soulweeper" is a ballad-ish track that you can sing to your romantic partner and have them singing along too. The speed goes back up in "Fire Song", which is filled with heavy fire. Then we have another fast catchy track, "Danny and Lucy (11 PM)", which cranks up the rockabilly side of the band for some rock-on fun.
"Caroline #1" builds up some great momentum as we enter the album's final third. "Alienized" keeps up that pace. The mood changes with their cover of Dusty Springfield's "I Only Wanna Be with You". What makes it so unique is, it can make your raise your horns to the riffing while also singing it to your love. The eerie riff that starts "Everything's Still Fine" is so strong and crushing. "Healing Subconsciously" ends the album with one of the most climatic closing tracks in standard heavy metal.
All in all, Volbeat's debut is an album for all open-minded listeners. Whether you like classic rock n roll, modern rock, metal, and hardcore, you're bound to find something you like, from rifftastic bangers that kick a** to love ballads that don't suck a**. I'm glad to finally get the strength from those songs after all these years!
Favorites: "Caroline Leaving", "Rebel Monster", "Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza", "Always Wu", "Fire Song", "Caroline #1", "I Only Wanna Be with You", "Healing Subconsciously"