Review by Rachel Jablonski
It brings me back to the second semester of my first year in college, I remember it well. April 20, 1999: a CD that I had been listening to fanatically and a very unfortunate, tragic world event. The CD: Wishpool by a hard rock quartet from Birmingham, Alabama called Brother Cane. The tragedy: the massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado which, all things considered may be the world event leaving the most impact on me so far in my lifetime. The horrific incident at Columbine, my feelings about issues in my own life at the time, and the expressive album from Brother Cane associate and cause me to drift into constructive, reflective nostalgia. But I haven’t heard Wishpool or the song of significance, “Lead My Follow,” in quite some time.
So just the other day I put into the stereo a CD sent to me for review. It did not take long for welcomed reminiscence to set in. The strong, melodic vocals of Damon Johnson, vocalist from Brother Cane, are irrefutable. Now the leading man for a group calling themselves Slave to the System, Johnson finds himself in notable company. Having performed for over 20 years with Queensrÿche, drummer Scott Rockenfield joins Johnson along with bassist Roman Glick, also from Brother Cane, and guitarist Kelly Gray, formerly of Queensrÿche. A little more crunch than Brother Cane, Slave to the System is an expressive rock group with a catchy self-titled release.
The Slave to the System album contains two types of songs, straight up rock and then those that lean more towards ballads. The album begins with a rock song called “Stigmata” with a riff that faintly gives off a Stone Temple Pilots vibe. The catchy beat of track two, “Ruby Wednesday” dramatically makes up for the annoying Beatles song title rip-off and lacking lyrics. Like “Stigmata” the song is very bass oriented with crunchy guitars and beats often cymbal heavy. The title track is also crammed with rock flavor and is spiced up with a considerable guitar solo. “Cruise out of Control” and “Disinfected” are two of the heavier songs on the album.
But then there are the slower more ballad-like tracks which most resemble the former essence of Brother Cane and best compliment Johnson’s vocals. “Live this Life” is a soft song with a very catchy bridge and chorus On and on we live our lives floating in these compromises down the river hear it ring all the music we can sing… (Love) to live this life. “Will You Be There” is also a gentle song emphasizing the lyrics and vocals. But perhaps the most interesting of these songs is the finale track called “Walk the Line.” The song is overpowering with its ability to make the listener feel like the only person in the room, lost in their own thoughts – the same effect “Lead My Follow” from Brother Cane’s Wishpool seemed to have on me years ago.
Slave to the System may not win any originality in rock awards this year, but their debut release is a solid outpouring. The songs reminiscent of Brother Cane are a treat as I unconsciously flow back to my frame of mind in 1999 with healthy remembrance. The unveiling of these thoughts and memories are important. I will never forget.