Disco de Nonpoint: “Recoil [Edited]”

I have been a fan of Nonpoint ever since their debut album, "Statement." That album was like a hybrid of Rage Against the Machine, Deftones, and 311. Their second album, "Development" fused a little melody into the music. "Your Signs" (a good example of the band's melodic side) was a hit single; but the album as a whole failed to break them into the mainstream, which they had hoped for. Following this release, they underwent a change in record labels (from MCA records to Lava)."Recoil", the first album under Lava records, also just happens to be my favorite by them.

This album is like their first two albums mixed together. Much of the angst filled music is still here, but singer Elias Soriano's vocal style helps to fuse in the melody. He can sing energetically (without yelling). Some songs (i.e. "Broken Bones" and "Reward") should please old-school Nonpoint fans, but a few surprises are thrown in here and there as well (such as "Wait"-which has female vocals, "Rabia" and "In the Air Tonight").

Highlights include:

"The Same" could very well be the album's next single. It has a pounding beat, but melodic, radio-friendly vocals.

"The Truth", is the albums lead single with low, grumbling riffs and thudding drums. Lyrically, however, it is a political statement that questions Bush and the war in Iraq.

"Rabia" has a Latin theme to it (with Latin percussion and other Latin instruments), and fluctuating guitar riffs. But this song is a highlight because it is sung entirely in Spanish (like "Orgullo", from their debut album).

"Done it Anyway" combines a catchy, beeping, start-stop riff with more tuneful vocals.

"In The Air Tonight" is a Phil Collins cover, and a personal favorite. All the creepiness of the original is included in this cover, but Nonpoint create their own twist to this song by adding tribal drums. There are a couple of riffs in this song, but Elias' catchy voice sings clearly. This whole song has an Ill Nino type of feel to it.

"Past it All" begins with light, spacey guitar strings. The guitars then chug and churn and Elias' voice raises.

There's a bonus track at the end of the C.D., after "Reward". It has light guitar notes (that almost sound like a piano) and more supple, gentle and proper singing.

This blend of hard rocking, Deftones -esque riffs and drums and passionate, Sevendust style melody is not only innovative but also almost perfect. There's something for a wide range of metalheads here (those who like energetic, blood pumping metal, and also those who like melodic metal).

Nonpoint are also one of those hard working, overlooked bands. Some people don't give Nonpoint their fair spin because they have been lumped in with the nu-metal crowd. But I wouldn't file this album under that genre. It should appeal to nu-metal fans, but (by adding melody) I think Nonpoint have escaped that dreaded "nu-metal" label.

Have you ever had one of the those days where for some reason you sprang from your carnivorous slumber harboring a mad craving for the most disgustingly crappy music imaginable so you can write a p!ssed-off reveiw on Amazon JUST CUZ!!? Well last week I got `the spring' and sprung to Wal-Mart, eagerly searching for some selection that would surely splatter my inner earlobes with endless torrents of sticky brown feces. My radar zoomed upon "Recoil" and all of the album artwork's uber-pretentious magnificence, so I snatched it right up like a marsupial lizard snatches up hair lice in a swimming pool, a phrase which here means "casually".

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that I'm about to bash this album in a literary fashion equal to that of a monster truck, ripping apart your favorite album by your favorite band like it was string cheese in Fat Albert's lunch bag, aren't you? Well, if I were reviewing Breaking Benjamin's "Saturate" for the FIFTH CONSECUTIVE TIME, then I would congratulate you on your sweet guessing skills. But since I'm NOT, and also since this album by Nonpoint is actually pretty decent, you should know that you're completely wrong. Then again . . .

The things that are wrong with this album are the things that are wrong with nu-metal in general. It's derivatively generic and full of emotional poo. It has the pathetic political clichés and eye-rollingly angered themes of every Converse-wearing teenager this side of Nirvana. And really, it's just downright retarded. But there is something that manages to separate Nonpoint from most of their segregated affiliates, and that something spells its name like this: DEPTH. When you listen to this album, it isn't really about the loud music or the loud singer or the loud, re-repeated messages; it's about honesty, it's about heart, it's about conviction, and it's about genuine feeling.

Now when I say DEPTH, I don't mean, "oh my heavens, Nonpoint is the next TOOL!!!!!" or any silly thing like that. I mean that "Recoil" takes everything to hate about nu-metal, slaps it in the face and says, "THIS is how we discuss these important things", and turns it into something (dare I say it) worthwhile. Every lyric rings true, every chord breathes honesty (sometimes), every song transpires a yearning desire for change, to make a difference, to make sure people know what's up in this world. And even if I may not agree with a lot of their views, I can certainly respect their mode of telling me.

But all that honesty crap aside, I still find myself enjoying the MUSIC on this album a little bit more than I ever thought I could. I mean really, how can anyone say no to a nu-metal band that covers PHIL-freakin-COLLINS?!?!?! Without doubt, the highlight track on this album for me is `In the Air Tonight', which has long been my favorite Collins tune, only this time huge guitars are slamming around and chemical reactions explode magically, making this probably one of the best Collins covers I've ever heard (though admittedly, I don`t think there ARE any other Collins covers). And even outside of that song, there's plenty of sweet jams on this record, starting with the huge crunch of `the Same' and staying pretty strong throughout the rest of the record. There's a lot of overused, repetitive power-chorded sections, but I'm mostly enjoying myself the whole time.

Loud, heavy, urgent. It's all been done before, and much better, no question about it. Yet, when I give my attention to "Recoil", I give it ALL my attention, generic poo aside. In short, "Recoil" challenges the listener more than the average Slipknot. 3 stars.

I've been a Nonpoint fan since they released Statement and I saw the video for "What a Day." After that I waited for Development to be released. Even though i didn't like it at first, I ended up getting used to the new sound and now I think its a good album in its own way. Now onto recoil.

This is the most intense recording from this band by far and it showcases the band at it's creative height. This creativity is shown on songs like Rabia and the awesome cover of Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight." The band said that Recoil would sound like a blending of Statement and Development, and thats basically what it sounds like, except better. Songs like "Wait" lean more towards the Development end of the spectrum, while "The Same" and "Broken Bones" reminded me of Statement. There are also songs that are completely new for the band that show the band is still evolving (Like all good bands do). The best examples of this are the songs "The Truth" and "Done it Anyway."

Overall this album is a must have for Nonpoint fans and is a good way for new nonpoint fans to be introduced to the band. A great rock record that has the potential to get this band some serious recognition that they've deserved since the release of Statement.

I'm not going to spend much time comparing Recoil to the previous Nonpoint albums, because these guys just keep getting better and keep exploring new directions.

With Recoil Nonpoint positions themselves as the kings of new metal in my book. The 13 tracks are delivered with feeling, passion and an overall intensity that this genre really has been needing for a few years.

My highligts from Recoil are 'The Same', 'The Truth', 'Wait' and the stunning cover version of Phil Collins 'In the Air tonight'. On the other hand this is no 3-singles-album. It really works as a complete artistic effort.

If You like bands like Linkin Park and Sevendust, Youre going to like Recoil as well, but I promise You are going to listen to this album, when Linkin Park is long forgotten!

This is the last Nonpoint album I needed to have all the albums. I'd rate it 2nd to To The Pain, which is outstanding. The "In the Air Tonight" Phil Collins cover is really cool. I wish they had more covers like that. This album sounds a little more like Statement than Development. One song is entirely in Spanish (track 5) but it is one of the best instrumentally on the disk. Nonpoint rocks again!!!