Category: Skillet

 

Well… for a band with the quality level that Skillet normally has (in other words, they’re usually quite excellent), this really is an odd release.

It has only a few heavy songs; there is very little orchestration (and what little there is tends to be in a very high range, so overall it doesn’t sound as full as it used to); and much of the lyrics are less hopeful, a lot simpler, and far less engaging.

No doubt part of the record’s disappointment is due to it having been billed as even better (and— strangely— heavier {!}) than their previous release Comatose; but even without any influence from the now-disproved hype, this is unfortunately a mediocre album.

Now, that’s not to say that Awake has no great tracks— “Hero” and “Awake And Alive” both have great lyrics and Hard Rock (the latter also incorporating some of the high orchestration), and feature new drummer Jen Ledger using her (quite good) smooth and high voice in contrast with John Cooper’s typically somewhat-rough vocals very nicely; and “Monster” is also a great— and slightly creepy, in a good way — Hard Rocker. Those three tracks are certainly worth buying separately (and we’d say the same for Deluxe Edition track “Dead Inside”, as well, if it wasn’t only exclusive to buying the whole thing); in fact, those tracks are the only reason the rating wasn’t any lower! Sadly, though, the rest of the album’s tracks really do not impress.

So, in all, Awake is an underwhelming release, of which we’d only recommend buying several separate tracks (mentioned above).

Our rating for Awake: 3 Stars.

 

CD Content:

Along with the live show, which we’ll get to in a moment, the Comatose Comes Alive CD also contains the 6 bonus studio tracks from Comatose‘s Limited Edition as Enhanced (computer) content. Now, on to the show!

Recorded in Chattanooga, Tennessee during Skillet’s Comatose Tour, the CD contains the show’s audio, including all of the band’s numerous and downright excellent live additions. Several minutes of the audio was cut— consisting of complimenting the other bands on the tour, a mention that a DVD is being recorded, an introduction of Skillet’s bandmembers, an explanation of the meaning of “Comatose”, and a parting message— but those bits are all still on the DVD.

DVD Content:

The DVD contains the concert’s uncut video (well, minus the first few seconds of the intro countdown), along with several bonus extras.

As mentioned above, the live video begins just a little into the intro (after the “20 Seconds…” part of the countdown rather than before). The intro and the first song are, somewhat annoyingly , not in sync with the audio (it’s more like selected clips being shown rather than just straight live footage); however, after that the film assumes normal live playback. And (from that point on ) it is well-done.

The extras are “The Older I Get” Behind-the-scenes video from the Comatose Limited Edition; three music videos (“Rebirthing” & “Whispers In The Dark”— also from the Limited Edition— and “Savior”); and a great new picture slideshow, set to some of the live music.

In all, this is a great live CD/DVD from Skillet.

Our rating for Comatose Comes Alive (Live CD/DVD): 5 & 1/3 Stars.

 

A NOTABLE 7TH-OR-HIGHER RELEASE 2006 Award Winner!

Also Winning An ’06 Notable 7th-or-Higher Release: Disciple (Scars Remain).

 

This is, without question, Skillet’s finest album to date [and it still is]. As great as their previous album Collide was (and it was a Best Sixth Release Nominee in our ’05 Awards), Skillet’s Comatose far surpasses it on every level. They lay down even more excellent Hard Rock, this time adding some sweeping orchestration underneath it to heighten the drama. Frontman/bassist John Cooper’s vocal rhythm is impeccably timed, and his wife and fellow bandmember Korey Cooper finally makes a prolonged vocal appearance again, as well. In short, Comatose is an excellent album.

“Rebirthing” kicks off the CD with big, epic-sounding orchestration, the Hard Rock sliding in over the top. This track is a great opener, as it showcases all of Skillet’s new-and-improved elements.

“The Last Night” begins with keyboards, the rest of the band jumping in a moment later. Its lyrics deal with the contemplation of suicide, with John and Korey singing the conversation. This track is very powerful, and it gave us goosebumps.

“Yours To Hold” is actually Rock (not Hard Rock). Its lyrics describe someone trying to help, and be there for, a friend or potential love.

“Better Than Drugs” gets right back to the Hard Rock.

“Comatose” is another perfect Hard Rock track— everything about it (vocals, lyrics, music, and rhythm) draws you in.

“The Older I Get” is another Rock (not Hard Rock) track. It describes a relationship that was broken a long time ago, and the message is to not let that happen, or if it already has, to try and reconcile it.

“Those Nights” is an upbeat Hard-Edged Rock track, which shows how simply having friendships with people may in fact save someone’s life.

“Falling Inside The Black” moves back to dark, appealing, absolutely perfect Hard Rock.

“Say Goodbye” is emotional Rock, describing friends that, while still friends, are going their separate ways.

“Whispers In The Dark” moves back once more to the appealing Hard Rock, with hope-giving lyrics.

Finally, “Looking For Angels” features a new element— while the chorus is sung, the verses are lowly and darkly spoken. This song lyrically reveals how broken everything is, and what we need to do to fix it.

Deluxe Edition CD Bonus Content:

The Deluxe Edition includes 1 totally new track and 5 acoustic-version tracks on the CD, some free stuff for your cell phone, and a DVD.

On the CD, the totally new “Live Free Or Let Me Die” is yet another great Hard Rock track with firm lyrics.

The 5 acoustic-version tracks have all-new vocals and actually only somewhat-acoustic music. There are a neat mix of acoustic and electric elements in each, and all are great:

“Rebirthing” is rhythmic, with layered acoustic guitars, an electric bass in the background, and stripped-down synths. “Yours To Hold” is emotional and just about as good as the original; along with the layered vocals, acoustic guitar(s), electric bass, percussion, piano, and synths, there’s a hint of an electric guitar at one point, too. This is a very full sound for an acoustic song, and it’s great. “The Older I Get” features an electric guitar playing the main fill in the background, an electric bass, rhythmic acoustic guitar(s), and percussion. Again, this is just about as good as the original. “Whispers In The Dark” uses an electric bass and very cool, rhythmic and layered acoustic guitars. Finally, “Say Goodbye” uses lots of vocal layers, emotional piano and synths, a background acoustic guitar and a little percussion, and a touch of electric guitar for a lead fill.

Deluxe Edition DVD Bonus Content:

The DVD contains Skillet’s 3 Comatose-track music videos (“Rebirthing”, “Whispers In The Dark”, and “Looking For Angels”); as well as a little featurette called “Behind The Scenes”, which is a short compilation of making-of-the-album clips set to “The Older I Get”. While only as long as that song, it’s worth it, as most of the clips are fairly hilarious.

 

In all, this excellent record is definitely worthy of a Notable 7th-or-Higher Release Award.

Our rating for Comatose: 5 & 1/2 Stars.

 

BEST LIVE SHOW 2010 Award Co-Winner,
and a Best Live Show Nominee in the 2006-2009 & 2011 Awards!

CO-WINNER (2010): Family Force 5.
Runners-Up (2010): tobyMac, The Newsboys, Disciple, Flatfoot 56 (Cornerstone Festival IL. set), John Reuben, Thousand Foot Krutch, Relient K, Superchick, Children 18:3.
Honorable Mentions (2010): Manic Drive, The Almost, The Wedding.

 

 
 
 

(Photo Credits: Ember)

Live Show Rating: 5 & 1/2 Stars