Trapt
Someone in Control
By Ethan G.
Warner Brothers Records, September 2005
Style: Hard Rock
Official Site: www.trapt.com
Rating: 4 out of 5
This first statement was made upon the release of Trapt’s first CD:
"Our whole thing is making sure kids know that they can do whatever they want. Don't be pressured into doing whatever everyone else does, or what your parents and their parents think you should do. Whatever your passion is, just go for it, and don't let anybody push you off that path."-Chris Brown, vocals on yahoo.com
This statement was made upon the release of their newest CD:
“Every song is either about losing control or trying too hard to have control,” explains the singer. “There’s a fine line between allowing yourself to be vulnerable and closing yourself off to everything. There’s a balance point—and I think most people who are happy have found that balance. Being able to balance control is when you’re really in control.”
If there has ever been one band that has completely change their views from one CD to another, it’s Trapt. These guys have really made a comeback on the music charts with better music and better lyrics.
Musically
WOW. I was so amazed by this CD. I was not impressed at all by the first album, but man did this one change my mind. In Trapt’s first album release the music was normal of today’s rock music: Bland, drop C tuning, no talent guitars and not truthfully catchy singing. Trapt really has made a comeback though. Someone In Control has a totally new sound. Instead of the usual guitars, Simon Ormandy puts forth solid, crisp and clean hooks with very catchy verses. This album even features….guitar solos.
Now usually when we hear the roles of each member, the bass player just gets read, Bass. Not here! Trapt’s own, Peter Charrel is known as a “lead bassist.” Yes, a lead bassist. There are SO many catchy bass lines in this album, it’s insane. I’ve never heard a mainstream rock band have this kind of bass.
Drum wise, I was again amazed. Aaron “Monty” Montgomery gave this album what lots of mainstream rock albums lack, GOOD DRUMS. Perfect beats, nice bass drums hooks, and plenty of cymbals made this album pure. Most bands feature boring beats with no flavor at all. Just pure bland drumming. Not Trapt. Each song has a unique drum beat to it, that you can’t make out one distinct sound he is using. Which shows talent coming from a Seattle based drummer who grew up only listening to grunge musicians such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
Vocally/Lyrically
Again, I was amazed by this album. Chris Brown can hit some seriously high notes. And the most amazing thing is, is that they come out sweet and serine, not nasty and nasal. Chris’ vocals blend perfectly with the music.
Now for the lyrics. On Trapt’s debut album they lyrics were your ordinary depressive “ I hate my dad” “ drinking solves everything” “ let’s smoke” type lyrics. But, on
Someone In Control the lyrics always show that there are better things you can do than drink and hate everyone. On “Skin Deep” he talks about the importance of a real relationship instead of basing your relationships off of looks. There is only one song that seems a tad bit depressing. It’s the first to last song on the album, titled “ Use Me to Use You”. Other than that one song, I am wondering whether or not Chris and the gang
are now having a more spiritual or religious approach.
Overall, Someone In Control brings forth amazing lyrics with amazing music. If you were a fan before I definitely would pick this up, and if you didn’t like their first album, I would at least listen to the CD, then pick it up.
"Waiting"
I wanna meet up with you
And show you what I'm thinking
I'll take you anywhere
That you wanna go
I'm sitting here bored and lonely and
You know that anytime you're free
To show me how you feel
We’ll take it anywhere that you want to go
Anywhere that you wanna go
And I'd make it right if you wanted it
I want it back more than you know
I'd cross the line if you wanted it
I want you back
And I'm waiting for you
To get that feeling once again
Reunited in the end
And I've been waiting for you
To capture my imagination
Cause I've been fooled by the illusions in my head
Now I realize I never had it to so good
You took me anywhere I wanted to go
Now I'm sitting here dreaming of the days
When anytime I wanted I could show you how I feel
I can't go anywhere that I want to go
Anywhere that I want to go
"Lost Realist"
My independence is calling my name
A doubtful voice divides my faith
My independence only hesitates
An unsure choice I can't embrace
You're going to have to carve me,
Carve me from stone
Right to the bone or
I'll end up alone
Playing the role
Of someone in control
Why do I rush to slow down
Why do I rush to slow down everything
Why do I rush to slow down
Why do I rush to slow down everything
Will the dice ever roll
When will I ever know
Will the plot ever twist
Or will I still resist
I've been playing the part of a lost realist
My independence is turning the page
Tomorrow comes we start to fade
My independence only complicates
It's not enough to meet half way