MR SHIRAZ are a bit 'nutty' - hence the long-winded album title. The album itself is an energetic and spicy mix of punk, ska and nu-metal. Good start.
Saying that, the only element that gives this band the edge above any other bands of this genre is their superb trumpet player: vocally they sound just like every other Incubus-derived nu-metal band - with the odd death growl and standard yelpy barking noises - and the guitar riffs are the same as every other metal band in the universe.
So they're derivative and loud, fair enough, that is until they focus more on the ska end and then they really come into their own. Frustratingly though, there are not enough ska tracks on this album, and even on them they keep going all 'Emo' on us. Dammit.
There are also many moments throughout the album which could be beautiful, but they are obscured by unnecessary effects - such as the outro on QEA, a lovely simple acoustic guitar riff, the effect of which is sadly hampered by what sounds like a large robot stomping it's way through a field of explosives in the background. What a shame.
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They're ok if you like this sort of thing, but they're not particularly inventive and they don't really rock my boat. You also get the feeling that there are many great tunes trying to get out, but their development is being stunted due to 'Genre-issues'.
If I went to see them live without knowing their songs I'm sure I'd end up propping up the bar.
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