About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Internet Killed The Audio Star has a ton of ideas that show a vast array of potential for Name, but the overlong debut album lacks any strong cohesion.

Pros

• Unafraid to experiment with various genres.
• Fantastic four-part opus "Empathic Communicator."
• Strong rhythm section.

Cons

• Three or four songs could have easily been cut from the album.
• Inconsistent clean vocals.
• Undeveloped ideas.

Description

• Released February 16, 2010 on Lifeforce Records.
• Name’s debut album.
• Progressive metal/hardcore that sounds like the offspring of Between The Buried And Me and The Dillinger Escape Plan.

Guide Review - Name - 'Internet Killed The Audio Star'

When discussing Name’s debut album Internet Killed The Audio Star, one word comes to mind: unpredictable. For 77 minutes, the band goes through a wide spectrum of genres, from progressive metal to jazz-fusion. Nothing is spared in the attempt to win over the listener, but it all becomes overwhelming near the last third of the album. There are moments where it sounds like Name could be the next big thing in metal, but unfocused songwriting and drawn-out songs ultimately drag the album into average territory.

With the exception of the mathcore opener “Killer Whales, Man,” the main theme of the album is unconventional musical shifts. Name is comfortable with pushing songs into lengths usually reserved for bands like Between The Buried and Me, especially with the four-part epic “Empathic Communicator.” Clocking in at 20 minutes, it is the centerpiece of the album and one of the clear indications that Name has immense talent.

This talent is evident on much of the material on Internet Killed The Audio Star. “The Spark Of Divinity” starts out aggressively, but deviates into a melodic breakdown with soaring clean vocals. “Mare” is in the same vein, highlighted by bluesy guitar work and a piercing screech at the end that could make a baby cry. Throughout all the madness, the rhythm section is the stand-out. Bassist Jeremy Fereas channels Dan Briggs, Geddy Lee, and Les Claypool with his funky leads and slap work, while drummer Bobby Gibbs is versatile with his jazz-infused fills and loose playing style.

All the potential in the world doesn’t mean squat if a band can’t translate it into something salvageable, and Name has issues in this department. The album seems to peak near the middle, sloping downward as the album approaches its conclusion. Ending the album with three shorter, unexciting numbers was a bad move. “You'll Never Die In This Town Again” is a plodding instrumental and “Charmer” fades out on a lackluster note.

This inconsistency continues with the vocal work. While the harsh vocals are relatively solid, especially the occasional growls that sink their way through, the clean vocals are a mixed bag. At times, they are a perfect backdrop, lush and emotional. Then there are the grating out-of-key wails. They don’t completely ruin the album, but one wonders what could have been if the clean vocals were saved for later albums, when the songwriting is more fully developed.

The most disappointing thing about Internet Killed The Audio Star is that it really could have been a fantastic album. Name will be a big band to look out for in the near future; their debut is proof of that. There is just too much filler and undeveloped ideas to automatically push Name as the next big thing.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.