White Noise Review

Release Date: Jul 21, 2008
Label: Dew Process
Genres: Rock
Number Of Tracks: 11
"White Noise" is the most consistently brilliant collection of songs The Living End has released to date.

Sound:	6.5
Lyrics:	8.5
Impression:	7.5
Overall rating:	7.5
Users rating:	8.3
Comments:	36

overall: 9.3

Featured review by: drifta_21, on august 01, 2008

Sound: The Living End. Started off in the mid '90s, their unique blend of a broad range of musical genres have created a "bastard grandchild" of the Stray Cats, the Sex Pistols, The Beatles and The Clash. With this album, their 15 years of musical Nirvana has been reached with album number 5. Almost all elements that singer/guitarist Chris Cheney, double bassist Scott Owen and drummer Andy Strachan have strive to create have been reached, mixing Led Zeppelin-esque hardness with the bands own signature sound of Australian rock and roll. Ever since their first Self Titled album, the band has strive to broaden their horizons, with the next three albums attempting to catch their unparalleled live show. But now, with Rage Against The Machine producer John Agnello and the mixing capabilities of Brendan O'Brien-who before this album mixed the soon to be released AC/DC album-their mission=accomplished. Even with a serous breakup scare before the albums creation, the newly found sound has kept old and new fans begging for more. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: With Cheney's almost band-ending hiatus, the band has faced many a tragedy, but have now used this scare to their advantage. The more mature writing style adopted by Cheney have shades of seriousness mixed with strong thoughts yet also has hints of classic TLE.

01. How Do We Know - the Jack White/Jimmy Page riff that started the new 'flame'. The head-banging quality of this song is exquisite, with the lyrics complementing the desire to fight 'Til The End.
02. Raise The Alarm - songwriter-turned-philosopher Cheney expresses the arguments placed by religion, and provides an atheist/agnostic take on the matter. Could be played a little faster, but still a keeper.
03. White Noise - the first single highlights a more 'refined' sound of the band. With the lyrics providing questions of society today, the topic of hearing 'white noise' from everyone seems so real.
04. Moment In The Sun - with pop influences present, the lyrics provides a powerful message of breaking out while living in ones golden years while also providing it's listeners a smile. Piano parts by The Hold Steady's Franz Nicolay add a nice touch of inspiration.
05. Waiting For The Silence - pure TLE with a mix of simplistic yet heartfelt lyrics and meaningful feel.
06. Make The Call - very small hints of Maiden in the guitar work, but provides a perfect beat to jump around with.
07. Loaded Gun - possibly one of the top 10 Living End songs ever made. About the death of Jean Charles de Menezes after the London bombings, it highlights the problems in the law enforcement department and attacks the seneless 'collateral damage'.
08. Kid - the ultimate TLE pop song. So sweet the sugar sickens you. A bit too repetitive, but still a goodie.
09. 21st Century - a critical look upon the major events over the past years. Makes one ask "how the hell are we supposed to tell the kids?"
10. Hey Hey Disbeliever - another Maiden-influenced track. Simple tune mixed with tongue twister verses make up a solid song.
11. Sum Of Us - a completely unexpected reggae track, it somehow creates the perfect final song for the album. Lyrics provide a powerful message, and Owen's bass line is fitting to such a cool song. // 9

Impression: Compared to their previous albums, it is somewhat a step away from the usual formula but also retains the hallmark TLE sound. Steering away from their S/T punkabilly sound, Roll On's complexity, Modern ARTillery's simplistic songs (except for The Room of course) and State Of Emergency's pop-punk sound, the album is an excellent addition to the bands repertoire. With this new album, the band has finally achieved what it was trying to do after S/T, and does it with flying colours. Although the 11 songs do create a break away from the traditional 14 songs, the album is all quality, not quantity, even after hearing some of their strongest B-sides. A definite keeper. // 10

overall: 5.7

Reviewed by: Rising_Sun91, on july 31, 2008

Sound: The Living End have always been, since I first got into them in 2003, in my top 5 favourite bands of all time. But after listening to "White Noise", I was truly disappointed. It was sad to see these rockabilly boys from Melbourne, Australia had become another industry sellout. I thought they'd snap out of it after their previous work, "State of Emergency," but no, it wasn't to be. Chris Cheney, I was disappointed to see, has begun to dabble in modulation effects. I never thought I'd see the day where a Living End song was based on a riff with a heavy chorus over it. // 4

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are of the usual high standard that the Living End pulls out album after album. As they always have, the intelligence of their lyrics has progressed from the last album, but their growth seems to be slowing. The music and lyrics fit together well, with Chris Cheney's powerful lyrics and voice floating over the top of the newly buzz-cut Scott Owen's masterful double bass and Andy Strachan's skillful drums. // 8

Impression: It compares badly to all previous albums, I must say. The only tracks that truly stand out are the title track "White Noise," and "How Do We know?" Which is the first track on the album. I won't pay $20 for a record with 2 good tracks on it. But The Living End can only go up from this stage of doing this pop punk bullshit. // 5

Comments

[JayTeeRocks07]

Are you ****in' serious!

This is The Living End 's greatest, most powerfull and mature record ever!

If you had nothing but bullshit to say about them, why did you bother...

[Minds_iron]

That was a pathetic assessment.

I DID buy the album because of those two songs "White Noise" and "How Do We Know". Some sterling guitar work from Chris on this album especially How do we know, has to be up for riff of the year. These two absolute pearlers will easily make the top 20 in the triple J Hottest 100.

[Ironpriest]

hat a sad review! this is the best thing the band has done! and is miles better than modern artillery, i was scared they couldnt top soe but they sure did! 11 perfect living end songs, couldnt ask for anything more, i may put on a review for this if i have time. plus i would love to see a tab for 'make the call' im trying to figure it out by ear as i write this...

[shnurs]

everyone reckons white noise and how do we know are the best but i reckon make the call and loaded gun are the best by far!

[Hydrogoose]

Definitely better than their two previous installments, but it still is terrible in comparison to their self-titled and Roll on.

[Pingis_Or_Death]

"White Noise" is the most consistently brilliant collection of songs The Living End has released to date.

Well it sure didn't look like that was his opinion judging by the review...

[Billy Picken]

Typical...

[Rokeman]

Bands change their sound... sometimes the old fans like it more, sometimes they get new fans and sometimes the old fans hate it. well actually it's usually a mix of those three things. and that's what is happening with this. i'm still to buy it but i'm sure it will be excellent.

[accadacca18]

This album is a fantastic album. The only downside is SUM OF US but all of the other songs are terrific. I don't know how this person could have misjudged this album so much. RAISE THE ALARM and MAKE THE CALL are absolute rippers.

[AussieBassKid]

that was a ridiculous review.
whoever wrote this obvious has no idea about anything, this is their best album to date and deserves so much better then the rating it's been given.

[Adarsh]

Sadly I agree with the review. Incredibly mediocre album; there honestly weren't ANY memorable songs. I'm honestly really disappointed, I loved the stuff on their first two EPs and the self-titled.

[Eamon Fethers]

seriously they can't always put out an album like the frist one were al the songs were just so rocking! the last 3 albums have just been them progressing and tryin new angles and sounds.. this isn't a bad album but i wudn't call it an excellent one, but i just think the next one needs to be back to the old living end cos they've explored so many different soudns over 5 albums

[toolified]

ok, so its not perfect, but it is not terrible either. it has a few poppy songs, but it more than makes up for the 'less than average' songs with a number of stand outs that more than live up to the living ends style and quality as a band.

[SOYCD]

how do we know riff is real white stripish,but gotta admit its a ****in killa riff.

[PushinBrown]

They are industry sellouts, yet they have intelligent lyrics? Don't quit your day job dude.

What are you talking about Adarsh. Read the other comments, look at all the people talking about the songs they think are sick, that they think are absolute killers. And you're saying there aren't ANY memorable songs?

Personally I loved Moment in the Sun the most, followed closely by Loaded Gun, Kid and Listen Up Suzie. Hell I love the whole album

[Wildcard24]

I really enjoyed the album, Although I felt it needed 2-3 tracks more, but well.
My favorites are "Kid" "Loaded Gun" "How Do We Know" and "Raise The Alarm"

[DeadMansCurve]

i agree with the review
i got the album expecting great things, and was greatly disappointed. chris's guitar work is amazing as always, but the songs just arent the same
theyve changed too much, and not for the better, as everyone would agree.
but, it might grow on me, i got the new alkaline trio cd, thuoght it sucked at first, but now i love it, lets hope the same happens with this, because i love this band, but dont see it happening...

[vanman118]

TLE are badass.

[neonwarp]

Awful review. There's a couple of songs that I don't love (Sum of Us being the biggest offender) but for the most part, the songs are hugely catchy and still retain the great guitar work we've come to expect from Chris. If I had to pick an absolute favourite song, it might be Waiting for the Silence...but it's tough. Almost all of them are awesome.

[Chris_Parker]

This seems like a shit review, there are obvious contradictions. I still need to get the album, though.

Checked.

[Tortiss]

Lol at people who rage at other peoples opinion.

[BlackSheep69]

"white noise" is alright
"how do we know" is probably my fav

[Oldmonkeys]

I never thought I'd see the day where a Living End song was based on a riff with a heavy chorus over it.
i hope your not talking about How Do We Know? cos that is an octave pedal not chorus.

alos that review was terrible

[patty_ww]

anybody who was expecting a rockabilly album should take a look at the last 3 albums and see whether or not the influence is still there. aside from a few covers; "rising sun" released in 2007 and a few acoustic covers, the band hasn't recorded anything even close to "rockabilly" since the late nineties maybe roll on era. even their early stuff wasn't really "rockabilly" music, it just had some 50's influences and rhythms.

the album is great in my opinion, people should recognize great playing and songwriting when they hear it.

my two cents.

[lachlandavis]

Can someone do a better reiview?

[andyschest]

no way man cheney is one of the greatest guitarists of our geneeration and his early lead work over self titled and roll on are wha made me listen to punk music. this soft cocked bullshit is not the living end that i grew up loving its like the took all the skill and testosterone out of it then cut its balls off no face maelting solos no super fast heavy riffs. pathetic.

[Anthrax123]

i think this is their best album to date, sure there are very memorable songs from other albums but this is a brilliant record. i bought the album knowing that it would be different, and its great. even the B-sides are brilliant. listen up suzy, CIA and beware the moon in particular. i dont see why people would think they are sell outs, because as it has been mentioned before a band doesnt stay the same forever, otherwise people would eventually get bored of it and no one new would listen to them.

great songwriting by all of the guys and if anything the more 'pop punk' songs are very catchy.

[JayTeeRocks07]

Well done drifta_21, a good fair review.

[jason white]

i can honestly say this is the first living end album that i like from start to finish every song is great i never find myself pressing skip its great. sum of us is the best track by far its amazing

[vincent82]

Raise The Alarm sucks!if there's no God then we wouldn't exist at all..God gave Chris Cheney a gift to play the guitar.He's a really a good guitar player,it just saddens me to hear that song coz I really like this band & I know there's a God!

[westozrocker]

Great band. The last TLE album I bought was State of Emergency. I heard the single, White Noise, I like it! Always love a band that continues to broaden their sound and TLE are great students of all types of music. Definately getting this album soon.

[les_paul_01]

Rising_sun91, it's fair for you to not like the album and post your review saying so.

but saying you never thought the living end would use a chorus effect is ridiculous. what gives you the right to tell the living end to never use effects?

and come on, back in the day, "all torn down" was based based on a riff with delay. is chorus all that worse than delay?

i don't think so.

and calling them sellouts?

the living end have always been able to write a catchy song with a serious message, and i dont see how thats changed in any way at all on this album. read the lyrics of the album, read the lyrics of any of their other albums.

difference?

no.

not liking an album is fine, but just because you don't like it does not give you the right to label a band who (as you can see by 99% of the comments on this page) have managed to make a strong rock record without compromising anything at all sellouts, and pop-punk bullshit.

[Dinopaterno22]

Their best album yet.... i like all their albums, but this has something that the others don't

[queenslander47]

vincent82 wrote:

Raise The Alarm sucks!if there's no God then we wouldn't exist at all..God gave Chris Cheney a gift to play the guitar.He's a really a good guitar player,it just saddens me to hear that song coz I really like this band & I know there's a God!

just cos u believe that doesn't mean he has to, i don't wanna start a religious debate but u can't get upset cos somebody doesn't agree with ur beliefs, the lyrics on raise the alarm are some of the deepest and most thought provoking i've ever heard

anywho, i really like this album, TLE have never disappointed me

[Blue&Floyd]

Hey! the lines about God doesn't mean that Chris don't believe in God in one interview he say that it was more about a hippie way of life where it doesn't matter the believes of everyone else we are all humans and we have to be treated as well.

THE LIVING END & WHITE NOISE = Ones of the BEST EVER!