The Fever 333 is releasing their debut album "Strength In Numb333rs" on January 18th via Roadrunner Records and man...this first impression packs a punch.
I hate to compare The Fever 333 to letlive. but as a long-time fan of theirs, it is inevitable to noticed the parallels between them. Both are politically driven passion projects lead by Jason Aalon. However, I think The Fever 333 is everything letlive. could have been but missed the mark on. The Fever is gaining more momentum because they are propelled by a more specific, unmistakable mission statement.
The intro track sets the tone and notifies the listener of the intentions behind the album in a bold way. The Fever 333's music is a call-to-action to inspire social progress and to bring ALL people together regardless of race, gender, age, etc. They masterfully encompass the frustration and tension that most people are feeling in today’s political landscape.
They strike me as the modern day Rage Against The Machine but with a new edge. They are doing more than just playing music, they are forming a movement and motivating listeners to become active members of society.
Every element of this band is strategically executed in invoke a fervent reaction. Even the ambiance of their live show is deliberately arranged to invoke conversation by ditching opening acts and opting for soft music in the venue instead. Their attention to detail is evident on this album and expands on the groundwork they built with their EP. If politically driven lyrics packed with passion and drive is something you seek in your music library, this is a must-have in your collection.
Musically, it is a tasteful balance of melodic and heavy. It is going to catch the attention of mainstream audiences and fans of heavy punk alike.
Stand-outs:
Burn It: This is a track that establishes the band’s mission clearly. It starts the album on a strong note.
Prey For Me: Jason's lyrics strike a magical balance between vicious and melodic to create a perfectly catchy rock track.
One Of Us: I remember hearing them perform this song live and the line “stand up or die on your knees” really stuck with me.
Inglewood: A painful, personal look inside the past experiences of racism, violence, and hardships Jason experienced growing up. An intense track worth paying close attention to.
The Innocent: These lyrics struck a chord with me as they gave a voice to the innocent people that have been lost or forgotten in the midst of a corrupt system. They are keeping their legacy alive by bringing awareness to their stories. ”No more excuses, we just refuse this, silence is useless, long live the innocent,”
Duds:
Animal: This is their attempt at a more melodic, radio-friendly song. It’s a mix of clean vocals and rap. I prefer their heavier songs but that might be a personal preference. This one didn’t keep my attention. The chanting threw me off and it felt forced.
Am I Here? – When I listen to The Fever, it’s not because I’m looking for a soft ballad. I respect the effort and it’s still a beautiful song but it’s not my cup of tea.
Strength In Numbers is gritty, strong, and filled with urgency. The Fever 333 demands your attention. Even the songs that made it on my dud list are still very strong and worth a listen. Their energy is contagious and their confidence exudes optimism that change is possible through collective effort. This is the band our generation needs.
Out January 18th on Roadrunner Records.
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