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Why are there rabbits on the cover
of this album? What are they doing? Why does Therapy? have a
question mark at the end of its name? Throughout its 10-plus
years as a band, Therapy? has managed to linger just outside the
edge of the mainstream, to be just a little less than normal.
With their roots in the hinterlands of Ireland, Therapy’s?
unique brand of chameleon rock has steadily pulled fans in a
handful at a time throughout the 1990’s. "Shameless"
is the group’s second album to be released on ARK21, which the
group signed to after they were dropped from A&M, which
released most of the groups records in the 90’s.
Therapy?’s alcohol fueled biker
rock is ever evolving, and these four chaps from Ireland never
seem to choose the easy way. They change to avoid being
mainstream. When grunge hit big, Therapy? released a post-punk
album. When Green Day and other bubble gum punk bands were
plastered all over MTV and the bedrooms of teenage girls,
Therapy? turned Goth and released an album laced with cellos.
And now in the 21st century when bands like Staind
and Limp Bizkit rule the charts, Therapy? moves further left of
center, ignoring the musical trendiness of rap/metal to create
something that’s more sarcastic and artistic than
angst-ridden. On "Dance," vocalist Andrew James Cairns
sings "Yeah, yeah, welcome to Fuckland" with no small
bit of irony.
For "Shameless,"
Therapy? chose to work with legendary producer Jack Endino,
whose impressive resume includes work with Nirvana, Soundgarden,
Mudhoney et al. The album screams inspiration all over. These
guys in no way create their music by default. These songs
required talent and thought to write. The guitar harmonies on
"Dance" will no doubt remind listeners of biker rock
legends Blue Oyster Cult. It would be difficult for Therapy? to
deny the biker influence; "Joey" even starts off with
a motorcycle revving up and they announcer’s cry of
"Gentlemen, start you axes." The change to an indie
label allows the band is able to branch out creatively, and
"Shameless" has elements that remind listeners of
just-plain-weird rockers like Mr. Bungle or Primus.
The main riff of "Theme From Delorean" is the
album’s catchiest. Hopkins likes to create interesting beats
that don’t stick to the typical snare and bass rudiments. The
middle section sounds like a theme song of a secret agent show.
"This One’s For You" has some of the albums’
greatest lyrics, especially the line "Champagne for my real
friends, real pain for my sham friends." "Endless
Psychology" is an achievement in itself, with its
strategically-placed handclaps and the dreamy midsection with
its backup vocals that resonate like a doo-wop outfit. Martin
McCarrick’s cello counterbalances the driving rock of the
guitars, and drummer Graham Hopkins often augments his offbeat
rhythms with tambourines and other extraneous percussion.
Therapy? provides a model from
which most rock bands would profit by following. If they did,
however, be assured that the originators would turn their backs,
laugh, and evolve. Therapy? is the kind of band that always
leaves you wondering, "What are they gonna do next?"
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| Artist |
Therapy? |
| Title |
Shameless |
| Label |
Ark
21Records |
| Reviewer |
Shelby Rushing |
| Rating |
 |
|
 |
| website |
Ark
21 Records |
| win stuff |
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