Released: Nov 4, 2008
Genre: Hard-Rock
Label: Universal Republic
Number Of Tracks: 11
Their debut album has sold over 3 million copies but can these sleaze-rockers deliver the goods again?
Take It To The LimitFeatured review by: UG Team, on november 04, 2008 5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Sound: So much has been made about the abysmal state of the music business in the last couple of years. With CD sales dwindling and major labels scrambling to figure out how to keep turning profits, it’s becoming rarer to find a band getting past Gold let alone Platinum status these days. That’s why when Hinder’s debut album Extreme Behavior went on to sell over 3 million copies; the entire industry was left with their collective mouth open. After all, stalwart acts like Bon Jovi and Metallica were the only other acts selling anywhere near that amount in the rock world. Hinder’s modernized take on the Sunset Strip styled sleaze-rock that made bands like Motley Crue and Poison famous struck a chord with fans all over the planet hungry for largely ignored genre.
Take it to the Limit is the Oklahoma combo’s new album and right off the bat, you know they aren’t messing with their formula. Opening track “Use Me” is packed with all of the hallmarks of a great guitar-anthem. The driving rhythms, tasty fret licks, and the kind of chorus that was created for arenas makes the song an ideal number to kick the album with. “Use Me” and the following track “Loaded and Alone” would have fit perfectly on Def Leppard’s Pyromania album. If fans were worried about the band “maturing” or trying a new sound out on this new record, their fears have been put to bed here. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: When a band plays the kind of hook-packed songs that Hinder specializes in, a huge part of what makes them great or not rests on the shoulders of their vocalist. Luckily for these guys, they have Austin Winkler as a frontman. Winkler has studied the greats and his performance here exudes the kind of confidence a Platinum selling artist should have. His versatility is also impressive. On the swinging “Up All Night” he delivers each line with a sleazed-up drawl but on the hushed “The Best Is Yet to Come, ” he proves he’s capable of working quieter, ballad-like material. Don’t get us wrong, Winkler doesn’t have the widest range out there by any stretch of the imagination but neither does Vince Neil or David Lee Roth. No, what makes him so integral to the band’s winning sound is his understanding of what each song needs. Whether it’s the power-ballads, the mid-tempo stompers, or the strip club anthems, Winkler always hits a homerun. // 8
Impression: Hinder weren’t the only ones who got noticed after the success of their first album. Producer Brian Howes was showered with praise by rock insiders for the huge sounds he helped the band achieve. But most of the hype he received was based on his songwriting contributions. Like the band, Howes’ larger-than-life guitar and vocal hook ideas are steeped deep in the era of the hair-band. The band wisely chose to work with the Canadian producer again on Take it to the Limit and the combination works even better this time around. If songs like “Without You” and “Lost in the Sun” don’t become FM radio staples, it would completely shock us. Joe “Blower” Garvey and Mark King lay down one infectious riff after the other. On the aforementioned “Loaded and Alone”Garvey provides a blistering solo that gets stuck in your skull after the very first time you hear the thing. That’s thing about this band, love them or hate them, everything they do is catchy. With so many albums padded with filler material these days, it’s appreciated when a band gives you 11 potential singles in one helping. // 8
Take It To The Limit
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on december 11, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Lets start off with saying how good this guys truly are. They are keeping with old rock traditions and living with the "Sex Drugs & Rock n Roll" Scheme. Take it to the Limit comes with a DVD about the Recording process, and les just say these guys are truly phoniminal. I Listen to the 80's rock scene, GNR, Poison, Motley Crue, all those good guys, and with Hinder, there is a very good comparison. My Favorite part of the album is the title track to be honest, the band brought in a high profile guitarist to work the solo and melody on the track, and it was flawless. Motley Crue's Mick Mars made the guest apperance and it was unbelieveable. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Right off the bat, Austin Winkler comes in with the rough voice we know him from "Exreme Behavior". A few of the songs are sex driven (I.e. Use me, Up All Night) which is pretty good... Very good actually. The Lyrics are very well done, and on some songs he slears his voice to make it sleazy, which adds the the lyrics ar which he is singing. Very well done. // 9
Impression: This band constantly impresses me, ever since I discoverd them in 2005, I've been listening ever since. And now that "take it to the limit" is out, I'm equally pleased that I am able to listen to some more amazing song. Kudos to Blower and mike for the guitar riffs, and espially blower for the solos, which were mind blowing. // 10
They arent that bad, when i went to see Staind and 3 Doors Down, they were opening for them and they have some cool riffs in their songs, and they probably get laid more than any of the people that say that they were gay so... they played some of the new stuff live and it was pretty good, they got the crowd singing along with them, they are a feel good band that sings about parties and rock and roll, there is nothing wrong with that, and at least they have solo's in their songs that actually show that they can play guitar. stop being haters and let guys that are actually playing instruments get some credit... now fall out boy (i met F.O.B. they are really cool guys but the music is weak) and panic at the disco (met them too, cool guys but the singer needs to take vocal classes) need to grow a pair and play some metal!!!
Saying something's Gay is like saying something's Rad... it's a very dated word that makes you sound like an idiot. As it's been said, they get laid more than you do, you can dislike their music for whatever reason but they're not homosexual. Just grow a pair.
I personally don't mind Hinder, nothing spectacular and I wouldn't buy their records but they're not that bad. The singer's got good range.
Just about every review that i've looked at whether i like the band or despise them...the reviews have all been 8 something reviews. I'm not sure why this is, but i know that they all can't possibly have been 8's. Especially a Hinder album...honestly...talk about a band that's writing songs to make a hits. There is NO honesty in their music...it's disgusting! And i don't care if i get bashed for this. It's my opinion. I just think they're the prime example of a band that is popular because they write popular radio songs.
Just about every review that i've looked at whether i like the band or despise them...the reviews have all been 8 something reviews. I'm not sure why this is, but i know that they all can't possibly have been 8's. Especially a Hinder album...honestly...talk about a band that's writing songs to make a hits. There is NO honesty in their music...it's disgusting! And i don't care if i get bashed for this. It's my opinion. I just think they're the prime example of a band that is popular because they write popular radio songs.
"Prime example of a band that is popular because they write popular radio songs"
Which is pretty much like saying "Hinder are popular because the songs they write are popular songs" hmm?
Just about every review that i've looked at whether i like the band or despise them...the reviews have all been 8 something reviews. I'm not sure why this is, but i know that they all can't possibly have been 8's. Especially a Hinder album...honestly...talk about a band that's writing songs to make a hits. There is NO honesty in their music...it's disgusting! And i don't care if i get bashed for this. It's my opinion. I just think they're the prime example of a band that is popular because they write popular radio songs.
Shocking, isn't it? When you write songs that people want to listen to, you get popular. It makes no sense, completely illogical.
Stick to writing songs that nobody wants to hear, if that works for you.
I think there is difference, such a band who comes with something that people will relate to and appreciate as opposed to picking topics of music certain types of people will like inevitably. The personality that shows through their music whether true of false doesn't match with anything I like. I would describe what they do as shooting fish in barrel, they can't help but given mindsets and types of people I can think who do listen to them. Hopefully for their sake they are portraying a honest image of themselves. And if that's their album cover, it's a little cheesy.
Which is pretty much like saying "Hinder are popular because the songs they write are popular songs" hmm?
thats not at all what hes saying. hes saying that they arent popular because the songs they write are good, theyre popular because they know exactly how to make money. they write songs so that kids will buy their albums, not because its what they feel. and he is right.
Which is pretty much like saying "Hinder are popular because the songs they write are popular songs" hmm?
thats not at all what hes saying. hes saying that they arent popular because the songs they write are good, theyre popular because they know exactly how to make money. they write songs so that kids will buy their albums, not because its what they feel. and he is right.
hang on, so your saying the band dont write good songs, but the songs they write are written so people buy them ? surely that makes their material good? Unless people just buy crap music for sake of it, 3 million of us infact! hey they know how to make lots of money... wouldnt you like to be in their shoes???
i think the new album is pretty good. it shows maturity and fullness in their music,a lot more than the last one,which wasnt bad either. its apparent that their 80s influenced sound is here to stay, i myself am an 80s child and, going even further,was born and raised here in oklahoma. the album is a breath of fresh air compaired to all these solo artists like john mayer, amy (crackhead) winehouse etc....on a lighter note to everyone reading this,hinder isnt as popular in oklahoma as you might think my wife dont even care to much for 'em she thinks theyre overrated!!!!
Personally I think they're Buckcherry knock-offs. Their lead singer even looks freakishly like Josh Todd. But, considering the other junk that's on the Top 40 radio stations, their music is ace. I've got their first album. It's by no means completely amazing, but it's good to listen to when you don't want anything too serious.
good point andocommando, it is refreshing to see someone not doing the typical rock that we hear today. and once again they are a fun band to see live. i mean i wouldnt go see them if they were headlining a tour but as an opening act they are really good.
Hinder have got to be the biggest piece of shit ever, next to nickelback. odd how like nobody knows that their biggest hit (lips of an angel) is a COVER!!!!
shit.
Hinder have got to be the biggest piece of shit ever, next to nickelback. odd how like nobody knows that their biggest hit (lips of an angel) is a COVER!!!!
shit.
a cover? from what? that country bastard covered them!
i just find it funny that my friend and his girlfriend's "song" is lips of an angel, despite me telling them the meaning of the lyrics. never like that song, but some of theirs are ok. wouldn't buy it, but wouldn't throw it away if i was given it
You haters are so comical with your "no one likes Hinder" comments. YOU don't like them. Fine, it's your opinion. But understand you are in the minority. I, and millions of others, don't agree with you. Before Hinder, I quit listening to rock. Hinder brought back the kind of rock I love. If it is unimaginative and boring, if Hinder sucks, THANK GOD for unimaginative and boring music played by bands who suck! If you don't like them, I don't care, but don't say "nobody likes them." It confirms that you are an idiot.
if you bash too much he'll give you warnings, you bash further or other stuff then youll get kicked off.
honestly, i kinda liked hte first album despite the shitty hits. i thought the intros and some of the solos were pretty sweet. the guys vocals are pretty good too, unlike what you guys think. ime not gonna go as far as that luv2rock guy and say hinder is like the prophet of rock, but hey, they are pretty good compared to some of the shit up the charts ass today.
GoldSoundzUKNZ :
i just find it funny that my friend and his girlfriend's "song" is lips of an angel, despite me telling them the meaning of the lyrics. never like that song, but some of theirs are ok. wouldn't buy it, but wouldn't throw it away if i was given it
isn't it about a guy regretting that he broke up with his girl and he's pretended to move on?
tbh i think this is better than their first album like every song has a nasty intro to it and a good pickup behind them.. i like them so umm.. **** u? hah
i love this album. got it the day after it came out. and well i am addicted to it.
up all night has to be the best song on the album. filled with sleaze.
The album was good. I was kind of expecting Hinder to change their sound a little, considering it's been a while since their last album, but I was happy that they didn't.
i dont know about this album but their first one they had to learn how to play their parts. Yeah thats right they didnt write anything the got musicians to write it for them. Pieces of shit
i dont know about this album but their first one they had to learn how to play their parts. Yeah thats right they didnt write anything the got musicians to write it for them. Pieces of shit
:O I didn't know that! Still, they don't sound bad to be honest. Aerosmith didn't write don't wanna miss a thing, but its still one of their biggest hits.
Hinder have got to be the biggest piece of shit ever, next to nickelback. odd how like nobody knows that their biggest hit (lips of an angel) is a COVER!!!!
shit.
Its sad that most of the general population has a close mind. Thats why popular music has taken such a steep decline. Popular music now days does not have honest music and no one is ever in a hurry to try a different sound. Its just bands that know the forumla to write a popular song and forever they follow that formula until they destroy the genre. There is a reason why Nickelback and Hinder are disliked by most musicians. Its just regurgitated music that is written only to make money. Its not art anymore its just entertainment. Sad so many people never open up to find music thats not on the radio. So much good music unheard. Flame me if you want, if you do...I pity you
Its sad that most of the general population has a close mind. Thats why popular music has taken such a steep decline. Popular music now days does not have honest music and no one is ever in a hurry to try a different sound. Its just bands that know the forumla to write a popular song and forever they follow that formula until they destroy the genre. There is a reason why Nickelback and Hinder are disliked by most musicians. Its just regurgitated music that is written only to make money. Its not art anymore its just entertainment. Sad so many people never open up to find music thats not on the radio. So much good music unheard. Flame me if you want, if you do...I pity you
i agree with you but one concession point. some radio music is good. you can know the "formula" and still make "art", because at the end of the day, no matter how technical a song is, if it's not catchy, it's not for me.
this band is below average and the guy needs to work on his vocals, no matter how unique. there is better stuff in the world to listen to and spend your money on than this band. didn't bash, just frustrated with their music.
u guys r idiots they do write teir own music just lips of an angel was writen for them and u gotta admit they r prretty talented at least with the vocals and guitar which u dont see very often anymore
Just about every review that i've looked at whether i like the band or despise them...the reviews have all been 8 something reviews. I'm not sure why this is, but i know that they all can't possibly have been 8's. Especially a Hinder album...honestly...talk about a band that's writing songs to make a hits. There is NO honesty in their music...it's disgusting! And i don't care if i get bashed for this. It's my opinion. I just think they're the prime example of a band that is popular because they write popular radio songs.
Shocking, isn't it? When you write songs that people want to listen to, you get popular. It makes no sense, completely illogical.
Stick to writing songs that nobody wants to hear, if that works for you.
Exactly. If your gonna write a song "from the heart" and nobody wants to hear it, then nobody gets your message anyway, because they don't want to listen to your crappy music. Hinder is a band where their lyrics may not be straight "from the heart," but people still get the message that the song is about because they know how to make a song tolerable.
Good to see a bit of sleaze grunge and sex driven songs that isn't rnb or back alley rap.. Gotta love crude lyrics and attitude aswell. Its good to se the old rocknroll lifestyle lives on!!!
