Band:	Hurt
Album:	Vol. II
Style:	Post-grunge, Nu alternative metal, Alternative rock
Release date:	September 25, 2007
A review by:	Baz Anderson

01. Summers Lost
02. Ten Ton Brick
03. Aftermath
04. Abuse Of SID
05. Alone With The Sea
06. Talking To God
07. Loded
08. Better
09. Assurance
10. On The Radio
11. Et Al
12. Thank You For Listening

Hurt are a mainstream Californian alternative hard rock/metal band signed to a major label, Capital Records. I am sure after reading that some people may close this window and carry on with their normal every day lives, assuming that because this, "Vol. II", has alternative tendencies it won't be for them. This assumption will actually be correctly concluded for a sizeable chunk of them people, but also there is a good chance that you may actually be pleasantly surprised by Hurt if you give them a go.

This is commercial rock, you cannot get away from that fact, but unlike the positive correlation between commercialism and cringeworthyness this album has its charms about it. Think Soil, think Disturbed and think Tool and put them all in a hard rock blender and the output will be something like Hurt. Opening track "Summers Lost" sounds a little too much like Tool, not much momentum is gained here until we reach the first single, "Ten Ton Brick". This track is the epitome of commercial American hard rock/metal; you can very easily imagine some professional wrestler entering the stadium with this track (I am unaware if it actually has been used for that purpose) as it has an infectious guitar hook and typical, angst-like vocals with that American hint of whine and self-pity. You can easily tap your foot along, it is a suitable single, but then the following track "Abuse Of SID" brings things back down to a slower tempo, and back to the Tool-esque suspense building and good, strong, varied vocal work.

Unfortunately anyone still feeling energised by "Ten Ton Brick" and wanting something more in this style, or someone who purchased the album after being roped in by the single may start to feel a little perplexed at this point as the album proceeds to unload slower, acoustic, more hard rock based songs. "Loaded" has a hint of aggression in it, but generally "Vol. II" is an album of these slower, more acoustic type songs. Hurt do pull this off reasonably well though, there is some degree of genuineness, some authenticity in the music but there are also some repetitive lyrics and some moments worthy of a cringe, "Talking To God" is a good example of both sides.

The album is not entirely monotonous, there is some variation in here but the band have a good talent for making their songs seem like they last longer then they actually do. Overall though this is a decent album if you want to feel some delights of commercial, American hard rock without so many of the usual drawbacks that similar bands may fall into having. It is fair to say that this album probably will not appeal so much to avid underground metallers, but this album does hold some bunches of credibility and so cannot be so easily dismissed as another Saliva, or similar bands. Just be aware of what you would be buying before reaching for your wallets.