Take It to the Limit - Dark Publications

Location: Home » music » Post Grunge » Take It to the Limit

Similar Items:

•	Dark Horse
•	David Cook
•	Funhouse
•	Fearless
•	Black Butterfly

Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
"Take It To The Limit" is Hinder's much anticipated follow-up album to their breakthrough 3X platinum smash Extreme Behavior. The new CD, Take It To The Limit, was produced by Extreme Behavior producer Brian Howes, Largely credited with reviving the `live fast-play hard' work ethic embodied by many of rock's seminal 1970s bands, Hinder blazed new trails in virtually every music platform the past two years. Their epic 2006 debut album launched three successful singles, including the multi-format #1 smash "Lips Of An Angel," earning a dizzying array of chart-topping honors. The hit song was also recognized as Active Rock Radio's most popular rock single of 2006. Extreme Behavior became a mainstay of the Billboard Top 200 Album charts for nearly a year and a half, endearing them to a diverse array of rock fans as Hinder soared to become one of the most successful grassroots-artist development stories of the decade. The band also conquered the digital and ringtone arenas, becoming the biggest selling rock artist in the history of the mobile formats, reaching a record breaking 3 million in ringtone sales thanks to their rock anthem "Lips Of An Angel," which was the scorching second single from their 2006 debut effort. The multi-format smash seized the #1 spot on both the Top 40 Pop Radio Chart and the Digital Download Chart, putting the Oklahoma fivesome on or near the top of multiple radio, video and digital charts. The across-the-board smash has been certified by the RIAA as the first and only triple platinum Mastertone in rock music history.

Album Description
Hinder releases their 2008 follow-up album to their breakthrough 3X platinum smash Extreme Behavior. Take It To The Limit, was produced by Extreme Behavior producer Brian Howes, largely credited with reviving the `live fast-play hard' work ethic embodied by many of rock's seminal 1970s bands, Hinder blazed new trails in virtually every music platform the past two years. Their epic 2006 debut album launched three successful singles, including the multi-format #1 smash 'Lips Of An Angel' earning a dizzying array of chart-topping honors. The hit song was also recognized as Active Rock Radio's most popular rock single of 2006.

Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Like stepping back into 1987 without even flinching! November 6, 2008
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

...and I mean that title in the BEST possible way. This is an epic record for anyone that appreciated the intensity and simplicity of Arena Rock in the 80's. The bonus DVD included in one of the Limited Editions includes a behind the scenes, "making of" this album in which they talk about their influences: Motley Crue, Def Leppard, KISS, Guns n' Roses, Aerosmith, etc. This record is the ultimate homage to that brand of rock and roll.

The opening track "Use Me" is an amazing way to kick off the album. It's raw, it's cliche', and it's amazing. The chorus has such a hook that you'll want to headbang-even if you're in your cube at work streaming your music.

The title track "Take It To The Limit" features the uncomparable Mick Mars (from Motley Crue) playing guitar with the band. Mick Mars was (and still is) one of the premier rock and roll guitarists and it echoes with the new generation. At 60 years old, he's living proof that you're never too old to turn the amps up.

"Loaded and Alone" is a great throwback to any 80's metal story about a kid with big dreams and finding out it's not what they really wanted. The song flows like it should have been in a teen movie from twenty years ago.

Scattered throughout the rest of the album, you'll find catchy ballads, sing and answer choruses, and songs that capture an unforgettable time for rock. You'll be nodding your head at the pulse of this album while it leaves you with a feeling of familiarity. What's old is new again!

Fans of "Extreme Behavior" might be a little disappointed with this record. While they maintain some of their signature sounds, it's the band paying tribute to their influences. Fans of the bands mentioned in the 1st paragraph should easily love this album. I almost felt like it was a symbiote of "KISS-Crazy Nights", "Motley Crue-Girls, Girls, Girls", "GNR-Appetite For Destruction", "Bon Jovi-Slippery When Wet", and "Def Leppard-Hysteria". Rock on!!

1 out of 5 stars

NO November 18, 2008
4 out of 18 found this review helpful

Are you people kidding me? People like this garbage music? This cookie-cutter, paint-by-numbers, bland, moronic crap? If you like this band, then you are NOT trying hard enough. I know it's all opinion, to each his own and all... but really, people. Please. This is rock music at its wost. I mean look at the cover, for chrissakes! These guys are adults? Taking themselves seriously? You can't just absorb all the garbage the radio spews out at you on a daily basis. It's not music, it's a product. Like fast food. Disposable crap.

Listen to The Jesus Lizard, listen to Lou Reed, Neil Young, Iggy Pop, Tom Waits, INTERESTING MUSIC... listen to Public Image Limited, listen to Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, The Residents... listen to The Locust, Sisters of Mercy, the Chameleons... PLEASE. THERE IS REAL, INTERESTING MUSIC OUT THERE, PEOPLE. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.

3 out of 5 stars

Hinder 'Gets It On Second Effort' November 4, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful

Okay, so that's a pretty crappy football metaphor to describe "Take It To The Limit", Hinder's follow-up to their multi-platinum success "Extreme Behavior", but I do think this self-proclaimed 'sex, drugs and rock & roll' party band got it right...at least in terms of producing another batch of radio-friendly songs that easily get stuck in your head.

When it comes to Hinder, most listeners either love 'em or hate 'em, but I think there's room for a middle ground this time around.

From a 'critical reviewer' standpoint, there's not much here to impress. However, from a 'rock music fan' perspective, it's a little different story. "Limit" sticks to the formula that made "Behavior" so successful...about half the songs are hard rock/metal party anthems, the other half are power ballads. While there are no particular tracks that stand out from the pack, they all convey the fun-loving, live life to its fullest nature of Hinder's band members...in a way that gets the immediate attention of the listener.

While it may be true that parts of their songs sound almost exactly like parts of songs from AC/DC, Warrant, Whitesnake, Poison, Def Leppard, Nickelback, etc. etc., perhaps that's a smart move...if it worked for those groups, why can't it work for them? Their goal is to appeal to the masses, sell a lot of records, and have a lot of fun in the process.
I think it will work for them again on this record.

Lyrically, it gets pretty bad, but does that necessarily matter to Hinder's core audience? They didn't set out to write a critically acclaimed record, only one that sells, and when you want to sell music, sometimes the Keep It Simple, Stupid" method is the way to go.

On the other hand, if "Lips Of An Angel" made you gag every time you heard it, I suggest staying away from "Limit". Gruff vocalist Austin Winkler said in an interview that the song "The Best Is Yet To Come" best shows how the group has matured in their songwriting. Well, judge for yourself...here's how it starts off (I hope I got these right).

"My first make-out session I learned my first lesson; why try to get to the next base. When I slipped past her waist she smacked my hand away; then I got a slap in the face". OUCH!

Musically, the album seems pretty heavily compressed...it lacks dynamic range, even on most of the ballads, but again, that may not be a terrible thing considering that some listeners may like it to sound hard and heavy all the way through.

So, while there's much to find fault with on this record, there's still a certain 'fun' quality about this...my favorites include "Last Kiss Goodbye", "Without You", and "Thing For You". Hinder's tried and true formula of using the most catchy and hooky guitar riffs and choruses borrowed from top-selling bands before them will probably get them another smash hit.

If you liked "Extreme Behavior" and/or you're a teenager in heat, you'll probably love "Take It To The Limit". If not, stay away from the radio for the next year or so.

5 out of 5 stars

awesome November 4, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful

All i have to say is awesome....i absoulutly love every song on it. it like a 70's rock appeal album...its awesome, dont waste time reading my review, just buy,its that good...heres my ratings for the cd

use me-8.8
loaded and alone-9.6
last kiss goodbye-9.2
up all night-9.4
without you-9.4
take it to the limit-8.9
the best is yet to come-9.1
heaven sent-9.5
thing for you-9.5
lost in the sun-9.3
far from home-8.9

i really enjoyed this cd

5 out of 5 stars

Great Hard Rock Album November 5, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

After listening to it for a few times, I must say that Hinder grows on you fast.
This album is in a way a tribute to 80s hard rock in a 2000 kind of way.
Pay special attention to:
Use Me (5/5). Great riffs and solos.
Loaded & Alone (4/5)
Last Kiss Goodbye (4/5)
Without you (4/5) Great Ballad
Take it to the limit: (4/5) Very radio friendly.
Heaven Sent: (5/5) Poppiest song on the CD. Still it rocks !!
Lost in the Sun (4/5)
Far From Home (4/5) Ballad.
All others rate 3/5.

So it is a prety strong effort. Buy it !!!

Powered by Associate-O-Matic