SOiL

30 January 2009

SOiL - Whole Album Review

By David Straw in Music Reviews on 12 December 2013

SOiL are an interesting quantity in the rock world. Everyone knows them, but only when the familiar strains of mega-hit 'Halo' emerge through speakers - a staple part of every alternative club set. Since that song from 2002's 'Scars' caught so much attention, they have struggled to overcome being unfairly labelled as a one-hit wonder band. 2004's 'Redefine' was another strong outing, before vocalist Ryan McCombs departed. Two more albums followed with former main man AJ Cavalier at the helm, before the band reunited with their original singer in 2011.

'Whole' is their first recorded output since then, and they're back. 'Loaded Gun' hearkens back to their glory days at the turn of the century, while the gloriously madcap 'The Hate Song' proves that McCombs still has memorable choruses in him.

Lead single 'Shine On' is the record's strongest offering, developing from a slow intro into a powerful chorus, McCombs' irreplaceable drawl underpinned by some exceptionally tight riffing.

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