2WENTYTHRE3
S/T
Self-Released
Street: 04.23
2WENTYTHRE3 = N.I.N.’s Pretty Hate Machine + Orgy
The thing about this 2WENTYTHRE3 is that it’s really pretty good for what it is. From the little information I could find about Jared Smith, a Utahn, he’s taking himself pretty seriously and trying  earnestly to turn in a solid effort for his sound and his branding, and it’s easy to tell that he is working very hard at both. It also seems that while he is becoming quite good at his craft, he tends to come across as “safe” in a way, and while it definitely shows a lot of talent and good, strong songwriting in a textbook aggressive and industrial style, it’s missing something. As a result, it’s all kind of sterile. I think that Smith would benefit from a collaboration, or something that will challenge him to really get big and theatrical, and maybe even a little more choosy. If Rammstein were just one guy with Garageband and drum machines, would it still be good? Maybe, but as a full band they have the ability to sell out stadiums worldwide, AND they get to use crazy pyrotechnics.