Search - Dope :: Group Therapy

A Successful Third Effort from Dope

Michael Crane | Orland Park, IL USA | 10/27/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've liked Dope pretty much from the beginning. I know that a lot of people don't like them, but that's fine with me. In fact, it encourages me to like them even more. I'm always more interested in the bands that get little or no attention, especially if I think they're good. This third effort from the group, "Group Therapy," proves to be a pretty good listen.If you're not a fan of their last two albums (their second album, in particular), chances are that you will not like this new one. They have a solid industrial sound to their music. A lot of songs are aggressive and heavy while others are more mild and tame. Each song is a living creature of its own; being that no two songs sound the same. I can tell that there's been improvements (as the lead singer pretty much changed the entire line-up in the band).While I do miss the darkness and aggressive side of the band that was present on their very first album, I still like the new stuff they've been coming out with. That was Dope in the past and this is Dope today. If the sound isn't working for the main guy in the band, then they have no choice but to change it up. This was the case, as it's been expressed in many different magazine interviews with the lead singer. That is why they've taken such a major turn from their first album and do the kind of music they do today.I pretty much like every song, but my favorites are "falling away," "b----," "I am," "sing," "paranoia," "bring it on," "another day goes by," and "today is the day." A great feature of this CD is that it is enhanced and includes videos for EVERY song. That's right. All of the songs have real videos for them. (There's a great one for "b----," but beware; it's pretty mature/adult and is not recommended for younger audiences.) Just pop the CD into your computer and watch away. All in all, I'm pretty pleased with Dope's "Group Therapy." It's not the best album in the world, but it's pretty good. If you never liked Dope in the past, I'm sorry to say that this album won't have much on an impact on you and make you change your mind about them. If you've liked Dope from the start and were pleased with their past two albums, then chances are that you will like this one as well."

Third Album - Still The Best Band On The Planet

newlydead | Houston, Texas United States | 02/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Dope announced their third album, Group Therapy, I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it would live up to every bit of intensity as their first two records (Felons & Revolutionaries and Life - Both of which are highly suggested as well.)Then Dope announced that they were giving us something special, a little something extra. After Epic Records retailed Dope's second record, Life, at $18 a pop and refused to promote the recod or let Dope tour to support it, Dope realized that it was time to take matters into their own hands and do what needed to be done to get their music to the kids on the streets . . . without taking every bit of money the kids had in the process.To do this, Dope started by headlining and producing the $12 Riot Tour. Tickets were $12 and all CDs and t-shirts sold at the shows were $10. And the kids came running. Finally, decent music they could afford.Then, the next step was Dope and their manager, Chip Quigley, going out on a business venture together that would allow Dope to do things their own way and have total control over their muisc, careers and destiny. That business venture turned into Recon records, the label that Group Therapy was released on.The last step in dong things the Dope way was to not only record thirteen of the most killer tracks to ever be played by a band, but to also produce thirteen full length videos and include them on the disc along with the audio tracks. So, now you can listen to Group Therapy, or you can pop it into your computer and watch the whole album!!! Dope broke all the rules by doing that . . . no one had ever done it before. One video, each with it's own individualized them and look, for every single track on the album.And what would something like this retail for? 13 songs and 13 videos? You'd expect to pay an arm and a leg for it, right? No. Dope released Group Therapy with a suggested retail price of only $13!!! (There are a few stores who are adding their mark-ups and charging more, but that is against Dope's will.)So, even if this was not the most explosive album to hit the music scene in the last 10 years, the sheer value of what you're getting from these guys is worth buying the record for.And the variety, versatility and pure talent on this record are amazing. Dope can take you from some of the angriest heavy metal on the planet (Burn) to the very next track (Easier) which has got to be the most heart-wrenching song ever written. Songs like Paranoia are driving, hard and brutal and then we go on to songs like Another Day Goes By that are just brutally honest and intense. This record runs the gamut of emotions from hate, anger, lust, pride and more.This is definately the most fulfilling album released to date, and one that should be required listening for every rock fan on the planet."

Great album, by great musicians

bcover | Fort Collins, CO United States | 10/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The people that wrote the reviews above, giving it only 1 star, obviously did not listen to the cd. Don't you hate it when people give CDs a bad review just cause they don't like the band. Dope has come a long way. Dope has never gotten the radio and video support they deserve. This album is worth the money. I saw them live earlier this month, that further proved how awesome they are, true musicians. Most bands that have gone through stuff the Dope has gone through are no longer together. I look forward to seeing them again, and hearing music from them in the future. BUY THIS ALBUM!!!"