 
I’ve followed South African Post Grunge
rockers Seether since 2004 when their second album
“Disclaimer II” was released. Since
that release there was “Karma and Effect”
in 2005 and “Finding Beauty in Negative
Spaces” in 2007, now finally after 4 years
of waiting here we have their 5th release “Holding
Onto Strings Better Left to Fray” which
after having a very impressive and strong career
with brilliant released has a lot to live up to.
Opening track “Fur Cue” is fast paced
and dirty; that dirty guitar distortion is one
of the things I adore about Seether and the other
is that beautiful vocal work ranging from heavy
and gritty to smooth and melodic with precision
without overworking it. The material on this album
is evenly balanced between their heavier side
and their more ballad-esque side. In the past
the most memorable songs of the acoustic nature
have been “Broken” and “Walk
Away from the Sun” from previous releases
and this album has some top contenders to compare
with against their hit songs; these include the
incredibly beautiful “Pass Slowly”
and “Master of Disaster” which somehow
manage to stand up against the classics which
proves the bands consistent approach to their
musical style.
“Country Song” is weird, on one hand
I really like but in another I don’t. What
I mean is that as a song it’s great, skilful
entertaining and playful in a country style but
it’s not really Seether’s style to
be honest with you and seems to be out of place.
Not like “No Resolution”, “Roses”,
“Down” and “Desire for Need”
which have the bands distinctive style lathered
all over them, instantly recognisable to the band
and extremely loveable. In some songs you really
can just lose yourself in the music which is a
lost art in most acts in this day and age.
So with this now being their 5 album, do Seether
show any sign of ever becoming stale or turning
into something they aren’t? To say that
would be blasphemy if I ever did hear it; consistent
sense of style throughout their careers and this
album could arguably be their strongest to date.
However their neglect of touring the UK needs
to come to an end! Get back here!
5/5
Review by James Webb
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