Headstrong (Headstrong album)
Encyclopedia
Headstrong is the eponymous debut release and sole album of the band of the same name
. It was released on RCA Records
in 2002 and proved to be the group's only album before disbanding the following year.
The band chose Dan Brodbeck
, the same man behind their demo, to produce the album in their native land of London, Ontario
. Headstrong features one single
in "Adriana," which reached #15 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
and had a music video
. Its style features elements of hip hop
and funk
intertwined with metal
and has been compared to bands like Rage Against the Machine
, 311
, and Red Hot Chili Peppers
.
Prior to the release of Headstrong, the band toured through Canada
from November to December 2001. Following its release, they performed with Tommy Lee
before being curiously pulled from touring in July 2002. The following month they were dropped by RCA Records.
rap-rock
mélange that sounds like it's been heard before, but only because it has." However, Robin Steeley of Music Reviewer gave the album 6/10, noting that it "features dynamic production and skilled instrumentation."
CANOE
's Mike Ross also showed a mixed but overall positive reaction:
Headstrong (band)
Headstrong was a Canadian rock band formed in 1998. They released one eponymous studio album under RCA Records before being dropped from the label and ultimately disbanding in 2003.-Band history:...
. It was released on RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in 2002 and proved to be the group's only album before disbanding the following year.
The band chose Dan Brodbeck
Dan Brodbeck
Dan Brodbeck is a Canadian record producer , recording engineer/mixer and recording engineering professor based in London, Ontario.-Production/Engineering Career:...
, the same man behind their demo, to produce the album in their native land of London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
. Headstrong features one single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in "Adriana," which reached #15 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
and had a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. Its style features elements of hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
and funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
intertwined with metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and has been compared to bands like Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, 311
311 (band)
311 is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson , bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton...
, and Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
.
Prior to the release of Headstrong, the band toured through Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from November to December 2001. Following its release, they performed with Tommy Lee
Tommy Lee
Thomas Lee Bass , best known as Tommy Lee, is an American musician and founding member of glam metal band Mötley Crüe. As well as being the band's long-term drummer, Lee founded rap-metal band Methods of Mayhem, and has pursued solo musical projects...
before being curiously pulled from touring in July 2002. The following month they were dropped by RCA Records.
Reception
Headstrong received mixed reviews. Brian O'Neill of AllMusic described it as "a decidedly CaucasianCaucasian race
The term Caucasian race has been used to denote the general physical type of some or all of the populations of Europe, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, Western Asia , Central Asia and South Asia...
rap-rock
Rap rock
Rap rock is a cross-genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with various forms of rock. Rap rock is often confused with rap metal and rapcore, subgenres that include heavy metal-oriented and hardcore punk-oriented bands, respectively....
mélange that sounds like it's been heard before, but only because it has." However, Robin Steeley of Music Reviewer gave the album 6/10, noting that it "features dynamic production and skilled instrumentation."
CANOE
Canadian Online Explorer
Canadian Online Explorer is a bilingual online news and information site from Canada.A subsidiary of Quebecor Media, Canoe.ca is a leading local and national interactive media provider of news, entertainment and services, helping to inform and connect Canadians...
's Mike Ross also showed a mixed but overall positive reaction:
- "For all the cryptic complaining from a singer who sounds like the guy from Soul CoughingSoul CoughingSoul Coughing was a popular New York-based alternative rock band. The band found modest mainstream success during the mid-to-late 1990s. Soul Coughing developed a devout fanbase and have garnered largely positive response from critics. Steve Huey describes the band as "one of the most unusual cult...
when he raps and like every other wiggaWiggerWigger is a pejorative slang term for a white person who emulates mannerisms, language, and fashions associated with African-American culture, particularly hip hop in the United States or the Grime/Garage scene in Britain. The term is a portmanteau of either wannabe or white and nigger...
in the 'hood when he shouts, this is a powerful rap-metalRap metalRap metal is a subgenre of rap rock which fuses vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop music with heavy metal.-History:Rap metal originated from rap rock, a genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with rock...
offering that puts shame to all that came before it - or at least adds maturity to a particularly obnoxious and posturing musical genre. . . With inventive production and instrumentation throughout, Headstrong is intelligent rap-metal, if such a thing is possible."
Track listing
- "All of the Above" – 4:01
- "Backlash" – 3:37
- "Inside Joke" – 3:16
- "Swing Harder" – 4:10
- "Built" – 0:38
- "Adriana" – 3:31
- "Do What You Feel Like" – 2:53
- "I Am for Real" – 4:20
- "Get In" – 3:15
- "Hoodies and Hood" – 4:01
- "State" – 3:41
- "Open Season" – 3:51
Personnel
- Matt Kinna - vocals
- Jon Cohen - bass guitar
- Joel Krass - guitar
- Brian Matthews - drums
- Dan BrodbeckDan BrodbeckDan Brodbeck is a Canadian record producer , recording engineer/mixer and recording engineering professor based in London, Ontario.-Production/Engineering Career:...
- producer - Jack Joseph Puig - mixing
Charts
| Year | Song | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Adriana | Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
15 |