28 Days - Bring 'Em Back

Sun 2nd Apr, 2006 in Music Reviews

It’s now six years since 28 Days surprised many by debuting at number one with their Upstyledown album.  In hindsight, it shouldn’t have been much of a shock at all.  Rap metal was at the peak of its powers.  But that all changed in early 2001.  The death of Jessica Michalik at during Limp Bizkit’s set at the Big Day Out and the rise of acts like Linkin Park, essentially pop music with guitars and a sampler, saw the genre lose its appeal to most rather quickly.

And now, in 2006, 28 Days are once again independent, and releasing the six-track Bring ‘Em Back EP.  Perhaps the most ironic factor is that nothing here is overly different to the songs which took them to such success back in 2000, but it’s hard to say anything about these songs. Sure, they’re catchy, but they are guilty of something almost worse than being bad – they are just bland and frankly, boring. 

The title track is the heaviest radio single I’ve ever heard from the lads, complete with double kick drumming and rather annoying screamed vocals.  It seems 28 Days haven’t noticed that it’s 2006 at all – this song sounds like Fred Durst rapping over Korn’s music.  The Pirate Song brings to mind Blink 182, and isn’t too bad until they have to destroy it with ridiculous pirate laughter.

Perhaps I’m being unfair to the band.  As I said, this is not too different from anything they’ve done in the past.  So if you were still excited to read 28 Days had a new release out, chances are you will love this.  But if, like me, you’re response was a profound ‘meh’, you’ll be feeling vindicated upon reading this review.