The Butterfly Effect -Begins Here

Fri 6th Feb, 2004 in Music Reviews

The bio reads that The Butterfly Effect sold out 80 shows on their most recent tour of Australia, which when you think about it, is very impressive these days. So I was keen to find out what all the fuss was about, was it just hype like The Vines turned out to be, or would The Butterfly Effect stake their claims as one of Australia’s rock heavyweights, on their debut album ‘Begins Here’?

The answer is a resounding ‘yes!’

The first 6 tracks are hard rock affairs, which come complete with your stock standard metal grooves, but latter half of the album shifts into more ambient (verging on experimental) tracks. Sure there’s elements of Tool in the guitar work, but as a piece of work it hangs together very well and is a credit to the band (and their diversity) that they’re able to combine all these layers and elements, yet still sound convincing.

Clint Boge’s vocals soar with an intensity which has been noticeably absent from the current crop of planet rocks new generation of vocalists. It’s impressive stuff for the most part, although infrequently, you get the impression that he’s holding back – that there are sections where he should be screaming (‘Consequence’ is a good example) as opposed to just singing louder.

If you’re a fan of strong songs with big hooks you’ll keep hitting the repeat button on your stereo for sure, it’s certainly a record which grows on you after repeated listens. Thankfully there’s no lame rapping, cringe worthy lyrics or DJ in sight, however, we do get treated to some rather cheesy synths on the penultimate track ‘A.D’, please guys, leave them out next time, ok?

If there’s any gripes it’s that perhaps the guitars don’t sound as crisp or as razor sharp as they should do at times, but it’s a minor blemish on what is otherwise an impressive and largely enjoyable album.

I’m going to predict big things for The Butterfly Effect in the coming year, they’ve already been to the US doing showcases for some major labels, so I’m sure it won’t be long before a US tour and worldwide acclaim beckons.

‘Begins Here’ indeed.