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Rating:
Prologue: Thus spoke Shaun Morgan, the frontman of the group, while presenting, a few days before the launch, this Karma And Effect: "After Disclaimer we wanted to distance ourselves from the comparison with Nirvana, and for this reason, with the second album, we just wanted to make a pure and classic rock'n'roll record".
This is the background. So please, stick to the words of the Seether's voice, and don't overthink it by seeking forced definitions that only annoy, like post grunge, neo alternative, numetal, hard rock, or those you are accustomed to when classifying a certain type of music. Here it's just about rock: guitar, bass, drums, and voice!
And the point is that Karma And Effect, on first listen, is already a cornerstone of the genre. The best record the quartet from South Africa could produce after the excellent debut Disclaimer.
Certainly, Seether hasn't invented anything new; other bands have tread the path drawn by Kurt Cobain, but that doesn't mean they did so with satisfying results (see Nickelback, PuddleOfMudd, Cold, Pillar...). Moreover, the style and sound of Seether closely recall the attention of Staind, it is undeniable, but it stands apart with Shaun’s more incisive voice, who manages to reach a wide range of tones (and live he doesn't lose quality, I assure you!!), and for the broad choice of songs that Seether can play.
The album immediately kicks off in a thunderous manner with "Because Of Me," a whirlwind of power that drags you in and doesn't let go until the end. In this start, the Seether’s imprint is undoubtedly concentrated: sound of notable impact, more melodic yet very catchy riffs. The riff of "Remedy," for example, the first single, will be hard to forget, and even "Truth"—one of the highest points of Karma And Effect—continues energetically along the same lines.
"The Gift" softens the atmosphere, a real gift from Shaun and his bandmates, given the depth it manages to reach during its 5 and a half minutes duration. With "Burrito," another masterpiece, the first part ends: I recommend listening to it all in one go. "Given" is instead somewhat of an interlude, breaking the rhythm of the album, which, however, immediately picks up again with "Never Leave," an atmospheric piece where Shaun once again shows the validity of his lyrics.
"World Falls Away" is an attempt by Seether to delve into social issues, and perhaps from this perspective, the four still have work to do, as it is not one of the most memorable songs overall. Here begins the second part: "Tongue" is fantastic ("Goodbye cruel world, the last you see me drown"), a small jewel, in my opinion, the most intense and emotional, while in "I'm The One," the most "punkish," Shaun mimics Dave Grohl.
As we said before: Pure rock! And the best example comes from "Simplest Mistake," pure madness, more than 5 minutes where Seether shows they know what they're doing with the instruments they play. In this twelfth track (14 in total, let's remember, not few for such a high-quality album) all the rage and power of the band are soaked.
Dark and mysterious "Diseased," yet a very effective track, Karma And Effect closes with "Plastic Man," the only acoustic song present, which, on the same note as Broken, but with darker lyrics and music, creates a unique and ethereal atmosphere.
In conclusion, I can say that Seether has hit once again. There should definitely be more albums of such notable impact around. Musically well-structured (each song hides a small mini solo), autobiographical yet effective lyrics, the idea of the final ghost track where Shaun and company thank everyone for listening in their mother tongue is very nice. Karma And Effect is a collector's item, certainly for old grunge lovers, but also for anyone who generally loves rock. And Karma And Effect contains it, at a high level. The only flaw is the arrangement of the songs on the album, practically identical to that of Disclaimer, but after all, as they say... don't change a winning team.
Rating 9.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Remedy (03:27)
Throw your dollar bills and leave your thrills all here with me
And speak but don't pretend I won't defend you anymore you see
It aches in every bone, I'll die alone, but not for you
My eyes don't need to see that ugly thing, I know it's me you fear
If you want me hold me back
Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"
I don't need a friend, I need to mend so far away
So come sit by the fire and play a while, but you can't stay too long
It aches in every bone, I'll die alone, but not for pleasure
I see my heart explode, it's been eroded by the weather here
If you want me hold me back
Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"
Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"
Hold your eyes closed, take me in
Hold your eyes closed, take me in
Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"
Frail, the skin is dry and pale, the pain will never fail
And so we go back to the remedy
Clip the wings that get you high, just leave them where they lie
And tell yourself, "You'll be the death of me"
03 Truth (03:50)
If I gave you the truth, would it keep you alive?
Though I'm closer to wrong
I'm no further from right
And now I'm convinced on the inside that something's wrong with me
Convinced on the inside, you're so much more than me, yeah
No there's nothing you say that can salvage the lie
But I'm trying to keep my intentions disguised
And now I'm deprived of my conscience and something's got to give
Deprived of my conscience
This all belongs to me, yeah
I'm beaten down again, I belong to them
Beaten down again, I've failed you
I'm weaker now my friend, I belong to them
Beaten down again, I've failed you
The deception you show is your own parasite
Just a word of advice you can heed if you like
And now I'm convinced on the inside that something's wrong with me
Convinced on the inside you're so much more than me, yeah
I'm beaten down again, I belong to them
Beaten down again, I've failed you
I'm weaker now my friend, I belong to them
Beaten down again, I've failed you (2x)
I'm beaten down
I'm beaten down
I'm beaten down
I'm beaten down
04 The Gift (05:34)
Hold me now I need to feel relief
Like I never wanted anything
I suppose I'll let this go and find a reason I'll hold on to
I'm so ashamed of defeat
And I'm out of reason to believe in me
I'm out of trying to get by
I'm so afraid of the gift you give me
I don't belong here and I'm not well
I'm so ashamed of the lie I'm living
Right on the wrong side of it all
I can't face myself when I wake up
And look inside a mirror
I'm so ashamed of that thing
I suppose I'll let it go
Untill I have something more to say for me
I'm so afraid of defeat
And I'm out of reason to believe in me
I'm out of trying to defy
I'm so afraid of the gift you give me
I don't belong here and I'm not well
I'm so ashamed of the lie I'm living
Right on the wrong side of it all
Hold me now I need to feel complete
Like I matter to the one I need
I'm so afraid of the gift you give me
I don't belong here and I'm not well
I'm so ashamed of the lie I'm living
Right on the wrong side of it all
Now I'm ashamed of this
I am so ashamed of this
Now I'm so ashamed of this
I am so ashamed of me...
05 Burrito (03:51)
I try to hide myself
Give this to someone else
My hands are stained with scum
Wish I could wash it away
You keep taking, taking away
And keep breaking, breaking, break
I can't believe in yesterday
I feel you coming in
I can't just stand by and watch you
Save yourself as you fall from grace
When you come around, I won't be your sympathy
The worst is over now
You said it anyhow
My life in monochrome
Wish I could regain control
You keep taking, taking away
I keep faking, faking, fake
I can't believe in yesterday
I feel you coming in
I can't just stand by and watch you
Save yourself as you fall from grace
When you come around, I won't be your sympathy
Find me, feel me, fill me, then cut me up again
Find me, feel me, fill me, then cut me up!
HATE
ME
I can't believe in yesterday
I feel you coming in
I can't just stand by and watch you
Save yourself as you fall from grace
When you come around, I won't be your sympathy (2x)
HATE
09 Tongue (04:05)
Well the tongue inside my mouth is not for sale
Any spirit left in me is fading fast
Could you throw another stone to ease my pain?
Could you throw another stone to seal my faith?
'Cause I didn't believe in this world anymore, anymore
I don't believe in me
And if I can rise above this I'll be saved
Can anybody save me?
And if I can die for love, then I'm enslaved
Can anybody save me?
Second chances are too few and far between
Will to change this circumstance eludes me still
Should I grow another shell in which to live?
Should I grow another shell and not forgive?
I don't believe in this world, anymore, anymore
I don't believe in me
And if I can rise above this I'll be saved
Can anybody save me?
And if I can die for love, then I'm enslaved
Can anybody save me?
Goodbye cruel world
Goodbye cruel world
Goodbye cruel world at last you see me drown
And if I can rise above this I'll be saved
Can anybody save me?
And if I can die for love, then I'm enslaved
Can anybody save me? (2x)
Goodbye cruel world
Goodbye cruel world
10 I'm the One (02:49)
Here she's coming and she's drunk again
She's only seventeen
Her daddy said "well that's enough of that come be my little queen"
And now he's touching her wrong again
He's gonna give her disease
He never wanted it anyway
He only does as he please
Won't you tell her that I said I'm the one
I couldn't hurt her like everyone
And tell her that I said I'm the one
And I don't deserve her
Here he's coming and he's drunk again
He's on amphetamines
Scratch his nails down the other leg
'Cause you're my little queen
And now he's touching her wrong again
She's only trying to get by
He never wanted it anyway
He never soils the child
Won't you tell her that I said I'm the one
I couldn't hurt her like everyone
And tell her that I said I'm the one
And I don't deserve her
Won't you tell her that I said I'm the one
I couldn't hurt her like everyone
And tell her that I said I'm the one
And I don't deserve her
We're coming for you
You
Won't you tell her that I said I'm the one
I couldn't hurt her like everyone
And tell her that I said I'm the one
And I don't deserve her
Won't you tell her that I said I'm the one
I couldn't hurt her like everyone
And tell her that I said I'm the one
And I don't deserve her
11 Simplest Mistake (05:28)
Watch it blow my mind
It's something I am ill-prepared to remedy
But let it slow the time
It takes to die and close your eyes to your enemy
Defy!
Self-made millionaires won't take ideas
From all the little plebeians just suffocate with smiles
And force fed lies
And close your mind to reality
Deny
It feels like I'm losing again
When I've lost everything
I'm sure I will see more clearly
Lose what I'm feeling to them
And not feeling anything
I'm sure I will bleed sincerely
Tonight!
So you make the simplest mistake
So you make the simplest mistake
And fearlessly you deny your involvement in my demise
But give me your open hand
12 Diseased (03:40)
Leave your mark under my skin
Oh my how strong you are
And feast your eyes on my disdain
And hope this one won't scar
I will never belong to you, again
I will never belong to you,
Push if you still need my pain
Cause I will never tell
And scream if you still hate my name
Cause I'll be where I fell
Come sit close to me,
Let me feel your breath
Come sit close to me
Hands around my neck
Come sit close to me,
Let me feel your breath
Come sit close to me, close to me, yeah
I will never belong to you, again
I will never belong to you
If I decide that I am alive
Than I'm diseased and ungrateful
And if I confide that I am a liar
Than I'm diseased and ungrateful
Push it in 'til it breaks, if it bleeds then I'll be okay
If I decide that I am alive
Than I'm diseased and ungrateful
And if I confide that I am a liar
Than I'm diseased and ungrateful
If I decide that I am alive
Than I'm diseased and ungrateful
if I confide that I am a liar
Than I'm diseased and ungrateful
Come sit close to me
Come sit close to me
Come sit close to me
Come sit close to me
13 Plastic Man (03:53)
I am a plastic man. Wish I could be the one you could be proud of.
I'm losing heart again. Wish I could show you what you think I'm made of.
Someday I know I'll find my place. Someday I know this pain will fade.
I am a perfect sale, just wrap me up with a bow and flowers.
I will neglect to tell, I'll sell your story that we love each other.
someday I know I'll find my place, someday I know this pain will fade.
someday I know I'll find my place, someday I'll sing my last refrain.
Why don't you let me be, and I'll pretend I'm well.
'Cause you're too blind to see, and I'm too tired to tell.
and in your apathy, your head begins to swell.
another tradegy, but you're too cold to feel.
someday I know I'll find my place, someday I know this pain will fade.
someday I know I'll find my place, someday I'll sing my last refrain.
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By Brizz89
Of the South African quartet, this album is the best, and it is the precursor of this genre.
'Remedy' immediately brings to mind 'Come As You Are' and 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana.
