With this album, Richard Patrick has loosed most of the chains that tied him to Trent Reznor's work. Rather, any remaining similarities occur simply because both artists are working in the same genre. Make no mistake, this is an industrial album, but instead of using the ragged distortion that made SHORT BUS repetitive, here Patrick is more inclined to create swirling atmospheric effects for what are otherwise straightforward rock songs. Of course, the fact that this album has atmosphere does not change the fact that most of these songs are really freakin' loud, and sound best when played that way (especially "Welcome To The Fold," which is definitely the best track here).

Derivative? Maybe. But when you're this good, who cares?


Best album of "99"   December 19, 1999
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Back in 1995 when "Hey Man Nice Shot" was relesed I instantly became hooked on their album "Short Bus". Now 4 years later they continue to create some of the best tunes I have ever heard. They have matured into a newer and better sound than their previous recordings. Highlights of this album include Captain Bligh, Take a Picture, I Will Lead You, and I'm Not The Only One. If you are coming into the world of filter as either a new or old fan you will love their stuff as much as I do. Pick yourself up a copy of both albums and see what I mean.


Don't be fooled by "Take a Picture"   December 1, 1999
 7 out of 14 found this review helpful

I bought this album after taking the advice of a friend and hearing "Take a Picute". I admit that I did not know much of Filter at the time. Don't be fooled by "Take a Picture", Filter is a "ROCK" BAND. I enjoy track numbers 6,7,10,11 and this reflects my music taste. If you like "ROCK", Filter is the band for you.


Filter's Got It All: Big Guitars and Raw Emotion   February 25, 2000
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Filter's second LP, Title of Record is leagues ahead of its predecessor, Short Bus. Robert Patrick even manages to craft an irresistible hook sometimes ("The Best Things"). As stated in the title of this review, Filter frontman Robert Patrick displays some very powerful emotion on this album. There's a lot of cathartic screaming on tracks like "It's Gonna Kill Me," while wearing his heart on his sleeve on "Take a Picture" and "Miss Blue." The latter track dabbles in neo-psychadelia and traces of the Beatles can be heard. One of the album's stand-outs is "I'm Not the Only One," for which Patrick layed the vocals after his then girlfriend dumped him on the phone. He then punched a hole in his wall, causing serious injury to his hand, rewrote the lyrics, and sung them. Real, honest pain shines through here. It begins slow and wistful, and culminates with a thunderous wall of guitars and Patrick's trademark screams. Filter also utilizes a lot of electronica on Title of Record, but they never let it overshadow the song. It makes songs like "It's Gonna Kill Me" even better. The electronics aren't always there, however. There are great guitar-driven songs like "I Will Lead You" and "Welcome to the Fold."

In a time when unimpressive, unoriginal, boredome inducing bands like Creed sit atop rock's throne, it's nice to see a band and an album with such intense and subdued emotion.


Picture a classic   November 22, 1999
 6 out of 10 found this review helpful

I just have to say that the album is a supreme second album. NIN-clones they are not! Partial crossbreeds, maybe... Nonetheless, this tech-rock album hits its euphoric highs ("Welcome to the Fold","Its Gonna Kill Me") and a touching lightheated territory that I never thought I'd hear from this band ("Take A Picture"). "Take a Picture" is currently my favorite song out on radio-play right now. It is the best song I've heard in a long time, with its suprisingly rousing build-up as the song goes on. As a DJ, I play this every night whether anyone wants to hear it or not! Cuz, I sure do.