Search - From Zero :: My So Called Life

Not Just A Few Steps Down In Quality -- They Fell Down The S

Andrew Estes | Maine | 06/27/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Remember back in 2001? Nu-metal was at it's saturation point. Remember all of those nu-metal bands that came out? Switched? No One? Thank god we haven't heard from some of these groups since then, eh? But From Zero, they were definitely an oasis that year. Their major label debut, "One Nation Under" definitely stuck out from the crowd, making them one of the few decent debuts out of the sea of crap we had to swim through. Fast forward to 2003: From Zero were one of the few groups left over that actually got to record a follow-up. That follow-up, "My So-Called Life," however, didn't add up to much.



I think the main problem with From Zero's second album is that they sound stuck in an identity crisis. Sure, songs like "Time Of Day," "Myself" and a rocking cover of Phil Collins' "I Don't Care Anymore" are reminiscent of a really great band. But elsewhere, they try new things, and unfortunately fail. Such failure is perfectly captured in the proposed single "Sorry," where frontman Jett reduces himself to some really whiney, awful ranting (and rapping). Not just that, his lyrics are rather poor, not just on this song, but throughout the album. Musically, it's hard to hear the same band that brought us "One Nation Under." When they're not repeating themselves, they just sound watered down. I guess the biggest compliment I can give this album is that doesn't sound like anyone else, but that's not exactly a good thing.



I'm not sure what happened to From Zero, but if I had to guess, I'd say their time has expired. They shared the same label as Adema, who, after the label shifted management, got tossed aside. And I'm guessing since From Zero weren't even as successful as them, that they got trampled underfoot as well. I could be wrong, afterall, it would be nice to hear another album from these guys, especially without major label constraints, which is what I feel is really holding this album down. Regardless of their future, I feel that From Zero are/were still a great band, and I highly recommend their debut to fans of alternative/hard rock. As far as this album goes, proceed with caution."

From Zero...well worth the wait!!!

samijamz2 | a bowl of melty cheese...:p | 06/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Too bad this band slipped through the cracks with so many annoying bands(Linkin Park, Cold, Finch, Chevelle etc.)making it big. Bummer. Oh well, From Zero is so refreshing!!! Jett's vocals are just as killer as on One Nation Under, however, this album started off slow. The lyrics are still great. I do agree that the song "Sorry" is annoying. That rap/singing thing, while good intentioned I'm sure, rubbed off as stupid. After hearing it on the radio before I got the cd, that song put me off a bit. HOWEVER...the rest of the album totally kicks much bootie! I'm finding myself replaying tracks 7-11 over and over and over...From Zero has the ability to get you hooked on the first listen and keeps getting more addictive with every listen. The choice of "Sorry" as the first single, to me, is a bad move and really doesn't make the point of From Zero, they'd be better off releasing "Drama Queen" or "Believe". From Zero is just [...]! :)"

Disappointing follow-up

Matt Martinez | Sherman Oaks, CA | 05/15/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When I first listened to One Nation Under, I felt that it was a promise of greater things to come. Unfortunately, My So-Called Life does not deliver upon that promise. In truth, not only does it feel like a bit of a step back from the sheer power of One Nation Under, but it also isn't as good as their self-titled indie debut.It seems the band tried to diversify their sound a bit with this album, an idea I have no problem with in theory. The problem lies in the fact that someone's idea of diversity seemed to be to make them sound more like Incubus. (This is apparent with songs like "Lines" and "Sold Out.") Another problem lies in the lyrical content of their songs. Take, for example, the opening line of "Lines": "I used to think that we were just, like, so tight..." And just about every song seems to be about a failed or challenged relationship of some sort.I feel, however, that the worst sin committed on this album is the cannibalization of what is, in my opinion, their best song, "Swing," for the new song "Time of Day." I was hoping that maybe they might rerecord "Swing" for this album untouched, but they did exactly what I was hoping they wouldn't do. I strongly recommend anyone who is interested in From Zero's music to download an MP3 of "Swing" immediately, as it is likely to be the only way you'll hear the song.This isn't to say that there isn't some great music on this CD. Both the opening track, "Myself," and the title track--despite its verses falling into the Incubus-soundalike category--deliver on the promise of the previous albums. The final track, "Believe," also an excellent song, makes one look to the future and hope for better albums from this band. I know they have it in them."