Released: May 3, 2011
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Eleven Seven Records
Number Of Tracks: 11
Sixx:A.M.'s sophomore album sticks with comfortable and accessible material that should find a comfortable home on the standard rock radio.
This Is Gonna HurtFeatured review by: UG Team, on may 04, 2011 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Nikki Sixx's musical legacy with Motley Crue is undeniable at this point in the game, but the bassist continues to expand upon his repertoire with his latest project Sixx A.M. The trio, which is rounded out by vocalist James Michael and guitarist DJ Ashba, can never be accused of borrowing from the Crue's trademark sound, but they do tend to follow in the footsteps of the mainstream hard rock that is flooding the airwaves these days. On one hand Sixx A.M.'s sophomore record "This Is Gonna Hurt" doesn't lack big choruses, which for some will be enough to keep their interesting. The problem is that the band’s sound is just a bit too watered down in the end, and that's not even taking into consideration the multiple ballads on the CD.
The record kicks off with the title track, which is a fairly straightforward tune featuring a chorus that is akin with a Seether vibe. While DJ Ashba's solo work is impressive, the core verses/choruses don't throw out any huge surprises. The first single "Lines Of The Beautiful People' contains a sing-along-worthy chorus, and vocalist Michael does effectively show off his impressive range. In many ways Michael’s vocals have a similar quality to Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy, who currently does stand out as one of the best frontman around in terms of power/range.
There is pretty heavy load of mellow tracks and ballads, which tends to give "This Is Gonna Hurt" (a title that almost begs for aggression) a pretty lackluster feel. "Are You With Me?' and "Oh My God" would fit in on any standard rock station, and those tracks could actually be deemed pop rock if we're completely honest. Not that we should make that an issue of good/bad, but the album does seem to be overly saturated with selections along those same lines.
Because Sixx A.M. utilizes Michael's vocals well, it's completely understandable why they would feature stripped-down ballads like "Smile" which is basically Michael's vocals, acoustic guitar, subtle strings, and only the slightest percussion. Emotions do tend to drive "This Is Gonna Hurt", and "Smile" keeps a heartfelt, honest approach without feeling the need to stick in a big chorus at the end. One other interesting song of note is "Goodbye Friends", which although begins in a fairly mellow way, eventually morphs into some hybrid of HIM and Muse. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: Quite a few tracks have a storytelling quality, whether in the pensive "Oh My God" ("She was born at 6 a.m. on new year’s day; In an alley right at the heart of where the homeless children play") or the La-La-Land-gone-wrong offering "Deadlihood" ("The sun is shining; Though everything's dying; Your stars burned out for good; Somewhere in Hollywood"). The themes do seem a little predictable and expected, and that actually is slightly distracting in the end. Given the fact that Nikki Sixx has once again written an accompanying book to go along with "This Is Gonna Hurt", the prose might provide a bit more originality. // 7
Impression: There isn't a huge leap from the first to the second record, but that also means that the band's original fans shouldn't be disappointed. One certainly doesn't expect Sixx to recreate what he's produced with Motley Crue over the years, but there aren't too many all-out hard rock songs on the new record. And again, we should judge an album by its title, but it would be a bit more satisfying to have at least a few more in-your-face, riff-driven tracks to truly make "This Is Gonna Hurt" complete. // 7
This Is Gonna Hurt
Reviewed by:
project.mayhem, on january 12, 2012 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: One thing to consider when reviewing a side project: are they writing good music or riding coattails? With their diverse and well-produced sound it’s likely that Sixx A.M. would achieve modern rock relevance with or without their illustrious bassist. All things considered, "This Is Gonna Hurt" isn’t so painful.
Smartly, the album is chock full of raucous rock songs with soaring, poppy choruses. These tracks are the equivalent of getting drunk at a party and having a splendid time with friends. Unfortunately, the disc’s down-tempo numbers feel like obligatory record fodder and nearly drag the album down by its tail. These tracks are more like when you woke up with a b-tchin' hangover and someone drew dicks all over your face with a Sharpie marker. Luckily, the bad tracks serve as evidence of the good times that preceded it. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: This may be a starry-eyed thought but it stands to reason that Nikki Sixx could’ve chosen any vocalist to front the band. Selecting James Michael was a smooth decision. His voice naturally, correctly, and beautifully jells with the overall sound. The proof is in the pudding – listen to the record and you’ll understand.
Lyrically, rock albums are a lot like Michael Bay movies. You’re won’t be challenged intellectually. You’re not going to feel tugs on your heartstrings. Instead, you should temper your expectations and try to have a mindless good time. Mission accomplished. // 8
Impression: "This Is Gonna Hurt" by Sixx A.M. is a respectable sophomore album with an awkward ending. It’s like banging a perfect-ten that farts when she orgasms. You can still brag to your friends that you banged a hottie but you’ll want to pretend the ending never happened. // 8
This Is Gonna Hurt
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on may 06, 2011 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: The sound of this album is mind blowing. From the riffs to the drum beat. The hooks are there to catch your attention and the songs continue to follow through with no disappointment. The lyrics follow great story lines. They aren't songs that we don't know what the artist is trying to talk about. The storyline follows form the start of the song til the end. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are powerful and meaningful. They deal with very rough topics that no one else has really talked about. From Teenage pregnency, to disfiguration, to how people view others. THe lyrics will hit home for anyone who has ever been judge or been labeled a "freak" or "ugly". James Michael brought his A game for this album with so many different styles. // 10
Impression: The album as a whole was beautiful. I wouldn't be able to pick out a song that I dislike or that I would skip over. Comparing this to the "Heroin Diaries" is not even in the ball park. These two CDs are very different and picking which is better just isnt possible. I would buy this album over and over again if something happened to my copy. Bravo Nikki, DJ and James! // 10
First... I really liked this album. The lyrics were a bit cheesy at times, but I liked how this album was more of a rock album with tons of great songs and not just a soundtrack with mostly dialogue. someone asked me what my favorite song was on the album, but i couldn't tell them because there were too many songs that i really loved. I would definitely suggest this album to anyone who loves catchy choruses, great guitar work and big powerful songs, along with soft emotional tunes that show you the softer side of the artist. Overall, great album!
Ive never really given them a shot, are they any good?
They aren't bad. Aren't great...sounds like a lot of generic hard rock bands out there...but they are good at what they do, and every once in awhile I chill out and jam to Sixx A.M.
Lies of the Beautiful People was a pretty run-of-the-mill hard rock song, nothing original...but it wasn't bad either.
Go ahead and give them a listen, you won't be blown away...but you won't be disappointed either.
Ive never really given them a shot, are they any good?
They aren't bad. Aren't great...sounds like a lot of generic hard rock bands out there...but they are good at what they do, and every once in awhile I chill out and jam to Sixx A.M.
Lies of the Beautiful People was a pretty run-of-the-mill hard rock song, nothing original...but it wasn't bad either.
Go ahead and give them a listen, you won't be blown away...but you won't be disappointed either.
Sorry about all the back-and-forth, just meaning to say that while they aren't omg-fantastic, they aren't anywhere close to bad either.
I was really looking forward to this album. The first one had a couple of very strong songs on it, but this album doesn't match up as well. It's got far too much of a pop influence going on. There are some good tracks but nothing as good as Life is Beautiful or Tomorrow on it. Goodbye My Friends is a good song, but kinda feels like they ripped off the melody from a muse song...
The album isnt terrible but it's not great. I give it a 6, wish it rocked a bit harder.
I liked the first Sixx AM record and from what I've heard of this one....will probably like it too. But...Myles Kennedy is WORLDS above this cat. Just sayin'.....
Ive never really given them a shot, are they any good?
They aren't bad. Aren't great...sounds like a lot of generic hard rock bands out there...but they are good at what they do, and every once in awhile I chill out and jam to Sixx A.M.
Lies of the Beautiful People was a pretty run-of-the-mill hard rock song, nothing original...but it wasn't bad either.
Go ahead and give them a listen, you won't be blown away...but you won't be disappointed either.
Sorry about all the back-and-forth, just meaning to say that while they aren't omg-fantastic, they aren't anywhere close to bad either.
This Is Gonna Hurt gets a 6.5/10 from me.
Haha no worries man, It's always nice to get a straight answer. I'll check those songs out!
Well I disagree, I think it´s an awesome album! Not only for the songs you mention, what about Help is on the way? Skin? They´re just great! I waited this album for like 1 year, and I´m not disappointed at all, it is more than I expected, but hey, that´s just my opinion, it deserves more points, I would give it a 9.5
One of those great examples of a really good band in a mostly-cliche scene. Would've been nice to see them branch out a bit more, but it's pretty good stuff. Reviewer's score was probably about right.
Thank you for putting the genre as Hard Rock instead of Metal. Gives us metalheads hope that not everyone that listens to this kind of music is an insolent douche.
Thank you for putting the genre as Hard Rock instead of Metal. Gives us metalheads hope that not everyone that listens to this kind of music is an insolent douche.
Like everyone that listens to metal, right?
This album felt awkward to me. Their first one felt natural, this one sounds forced, like it may not have even been written by the same band. The title track was fantastic, but I couldn't get into the rest of it.
I think I may need to give it a few more listens, but as of now, it's just average to me.
I got the album and I think it suffered the same problem with the last one in that the first half of the disc is good, but then it started to become average to boring even. Still, I think it's a solid effort and I don't mind the ballads (Oh My God is a good song). And I'd pick J. Michael over most singers.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who heard the Muse influence in Goodbye My Friends haha I thought they did a great job with this album! Oh My God, Help is on the Way and Skin are my favorites
you know its almost a concept album in away to go with nikki sixxs photography project also titled this is gonna hurt I do belive...I like it its cool, I think they had a certain theme they were going for here and the songs fit into the theme much like the first album
I like it but heroin diaries was definitely better. Kinda feel like they paint them self into a corner, when they set a theme to all lyrics. the theme being that beauty is on the inside.
I give a 7, might become 7.5/8 after a some more listens. Heroin diaries definitely grew on me.
I like these albums equally. Heroin Diaries had more pain in its lyrics, and I love that. But I also love the shift from pain to beauty in the new album.
Whoever wrote this needs to learn to read. It's "Lies of the Beautiful People," not "Lines." And they left out the "My" in "Goodbye My Friends."
But in my opinion, while it's obviously not as good as Heroin Diaries, but I still think it's pretty great. I love the soft songs most, like Skin and Are You With Me, but Live Forever and This Is Gonna Hurt are pretty good too.
I think it's an alright album. Nothing really that shines through. I thought the heroin diaries soundtrack was an amazing album, with every song going along with themes from the book. You could really relate to the pain. But if you actually have the book "This is Gonna Hurt." you'll know that's a far cry from The emotions you'd get from The Heroin Diaries.
Well I disagree, I think it´s an awesome album! Not only for the songs you mention, what about Help is on the way? Skin? They´re just great! I waited this album for like 1 year, and I´m not disappointed at all, it is more than I expected, but hey, that´s just my opinion, it deserves more points, I would give it a 9.5
Help is on the Way is a Rise Against song... I don't think the reviewer proofread the review at all.
Anyway, I've only heard "Lies of the Beautiful People." It's an alright song, but nothing that would make me want to listen to the rest of the album. The first one was good though.
I was really looking forward to this album. The first one had a couple of very strong songs on it, but this album doesn't match up as well. It's got far too much of a pop influence going on. There are some good tracks but nothing as good as Life is Beautiful or Tomorrow on it. Goodbye My Friends is a good song, but kinda feels like they ripped off the melody from a muse song...
The album isnt terrible but it's not great. I give it a 6, wish it rocked a bit harder.
After listening to it a bit more in the car on the way to and from class its growing on me a little bit. I'd say its about a 7 - 7.5 now. Still a bit too pop sounding, but its alright.
Well I disagree, I think it´s an awesome album! Not only for the songs you mention, what about Help is on the way? Skin? They´re just great! I waited this album for like 1 year, and I´m not disappointed at all, it is more than I expected, but hey, that´s just my opinion, it deserves more points, I would give it a 9.5
Help is on the Way is a Rise Against song... I don't think the reviewer proofread the review at all.
Anyway, I've only heard "Lies of the Beautiful People." It's an alright song, but nothing that would make me want to listen to the rest of the album. The first one was good though.
no its a sixx a.m. song also totally differant but they share a title
Well I disagree, I think it´s an awesome album! Not only for the songs you mention, what about Help is on the way? Skin? They´re just great! I waited this album for like 1 year, and I´m not disappointed at all, it is more than I expected, but hey, that´s just my opinion, it deserves more points, I would give it a 9.5
Help is on the Way is a Rise Against song... I don't think the reviewer proofread the review at all.
Anyway, I've only heard "Lies of the Beautiful People." It's an alright song, but nothing that would make me want to listen to the rest of the album. The first one was good though.
no its a sixx a.m. song also totally differant but they share a title
Well I disagree, I think it´s an awesome album! Not only for the songs you mention, what about Help is on the way? Skin? They´re just great! I waited this album for like 1 year, and I´m not disappointed at all, it is more than I expected, but hey, that´s just my opinion, it deserves more points, I would give it a 9.5
Help is on the Way is a Rise Against song... I don't think the reviewer proofread the review at all.
Anyway, I've only heard "Lies of the Beautiful People." It's an alright song, but nothing that would make me want to listen to the rest of the album. The first one was good though.
Someone already answer the first thing, Help is on the Way is also a Sixx Am song, you should listen it, it´s awesome, and ok, maybe you think "Lies" is an ok song, but that shouldnt stop you from hearing other songs, it´s just one song... if you want to see why I love this album so much just go and listen the whole thing, if you don´t like it it´s ok
Honestly I love this album and it definitely helps to get what is being said if you have read the new book. I give this album a 9/10 with such small tweeks this album could be perfect.
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