Search - Apex Theory :: Topsy Turvy

This album is the tops

Geoffrey S. Hineman | Traverse City, MI United States | 11/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like System of a Down, The Apex Theory is comprised of four musicians of Armenian descent. That's about where the similarities to SOAD end, however. Smart, unique, and energetic, you'll not find another band like The Apex Theory and once you've heard them, you'll know them anywhere.A mish-mash of techniques are cultivated under a distinctly Eastern-European umbrella. Drum Sammy Watson spits out one drum 'n' bass groove after another, pushing the tempo, but not changing it. Layered over that are Byzantine melodies and syncopated rhythms of guitarist Art Karamian, who has learned the age old lesson of top notch-musicianship: a player is defined by what he doesn't play just as much as what he does play. Jon Bon Jovi once said that a song isn't really a song unless you can sit down and play it on an acoustic guitar. A few listens to Topsy-Turvy and you get the impression that these songs would be right at home strummed on a balalaika. The first single from the album was "Shhh... (Hope Diggy)". And while, I dig the song, I would've chosen another place to start. The single spits alliterative lyrics in a whirling dervish delivery of soap box approximations. By the time you attune your antennae to the technique, the message is missed. On CD it's great, simply push the repeat button. On radio: no dice. My vote for lead single would be the punky, yet smart "Bravo". It's equal parts loud, political, and catchy, just like good punk should be. With asymmetrical riffage and dazzling vocability, these Armenians are some wild and crazy guys. And while they may not sound like System of a Down, a tour with them might be just the break The Apex Theory needs."

Highly underated

Lisa Connelly | USA | 09/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This cd has very intricate and powerful drums. Highly underated, I recommend this cd to anybody who is a tool, deftones, or system of a down fan. I went and saw these guys with lost prophets. To my dismay, apex theory went on first. What a disgrace. The musical genius of this band does not exist in the same universe as the lost prophets. Apex theory has not recieved the recognition that they deserve. The ensemble of each person in the band creates a musical journey I haven't encountered since deftone's adrenaline. Pllease, metal/heavy music fans check out this cd."