LVL IV
Encyclopedia
LVL IV, pronounced Level Four, is the debut album and only album to date by American post-grunge
band Future Leaders of the World
. It features the song "Let Me Out" which received extensive airplay and launched Future Leaders of the World into the mainstream.
's Mike Flynn
, who Taylor had previously befriended, they arrived in Los Angeles to record a demo which led to Cole's departure by creative differences. By late 2003, bassist Bill Hershey and lead guitarist Jake Stutevoss joined and Taylor negotiated a contract with Epic Records
. LVL IV hit shelves the following autumn in 2004.
LVL IV features a heavy post-grunge
style easily comparable to Nirvana
, a pioneer of grunge
, and Puddle of Mudd, a band directly influenced by the former. Taylor's vocals involve strong use of harsh screaming but also fast-paced rapping
in tracks such as "Everyday" and "Kill Pop." Lyrically, LVL IV also contains various political themes, drawing further comparison to Rage Against the Machine
.
s, "Let Me Out" and "Everyday." The former gained higher chart success and had a music video
while the latter also performed well on radio.
In promotion of LVL IV, Future Leaders of the World joined SnoCore 2005 with the likes of Chevelle and Crossfade
. They also took part in the Jägermeister Music Tour
with Submersed
and headliners Alter Bridge
that spring. It was during this extensive concert schedule that Epic Records informed the band of their contract's termination. The band dissolved but that same year were reborn under the name Machina after Taylor enlisted new members.
; Rage Against the Machine
-- as a guide." He also noted "Spotlight," "Everyday," and "Your Gov't Loves You" as AMG Track Picks.
at #153 and reached #4 on Top Heatseekers
with a total of 20 charting weeks.
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
band Future Leaders of the World
Future Leaders of the World
Machina is the successor project to Future Leaders of the World, founded by vocalist Phil Taylor, which features former members of Evanescence...
. It features the song "Let Me Out" which received extensive airplay and launched Future Leaders of the World into the mainstream.
Background and style
The development of LVL IV began with frontman Phil Taylor enlisting bassist Toby Cole and drummer Carl Messina. Financed by Puddle of MuddPuddle of Mudd
Puddle Of Mudd is an American rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, USA. To date the band has sold over 7 million albums, and have had a string of #1 mainstream rock singles in the United States. Their major-label debut Come Clean has sold over 5 million copies...
's Mike Flynn
Mike Flynn
Mike Flynn may refer to:* Mike Flynn , American baseball player* Mike Flynn , American basketball player* Mike Flynn , English footballer* Mike Flynn , American football player...
, who Taylor had previously befriended, they arrived in Los Angeles to record a demo which led to Cole's departure by creative differences. By late 2003, bassist Bill Hershey and lead guitarist Jake Stutevoss joined and Taylor negotiated a contract with Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
. LVL IV hit shelves the following autumn in 2004.
LVL IV features a heavy post-grunge
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
style easily comparable to Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
, a pioneer of grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
, and Puddle of Mudd, a band directly influenced by the former. Taylor's vocals involve strong use of harsh screaming but also fast-paced rapping
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
in tracks such as "Everyday" and "Kill Pop." Lyrically, LVL IV also contains various political themes, drawing further comparison to 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...
.
Touring and promotion
LVL IV featured two singleSingle (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...
s, "Let Me Out" and "Everyday." The former gained higher chart success 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...
while the latter also performed well on radio.
In promotion of LVL IV, Future Leaders of the World joined SnoCore 2005 with the likes of Chevelle and Crossfade
Crossfade (band)
-Studio albums:-Singles:...
. They also took part in the Jägermeister Music Tour
Jägermeister Music Tour
The Jägermeister Music Tour is a hard rock, hardcore punk, and heavy metal music tour that has been held twice a year in the United States since 2002. It is owned by the American importer of Jägermeister, Sidney Frank Importing.-History:...
with Submersed
Submersed
Submersed was an American rock band from Stephenville, Texas. They disbanded in 2008.-History:Submersed was signed to Wind-up Records, and worked with Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti on its debut studio album, In Due Time, which featured the singles "You Run", "Hollow", and the title track...
and headliners Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge is an American rock band that was formed in 2004 in Orlando, Florida by lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips, who are all also members of Creed. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, formerly of The Mayfield Four and the frontman...
that spring. It was during this extensive concert schedule that Epic Records informed the band of their contract's termination. The band dissolved but that same year were reborn under the name Machina after Taylor enlisted new members.
Critical reception
Johnny Loftus gave LVL IV 2.5 out of 5 stars and did not write an extensive review but noted that the album "looked to the sounds of alternative's heyday -- NirvanaNirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
; 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...
-- as a guide." He also noted "Spotlight," "Everyday," and "Your Gov't Loves You" as AMG Track Picks.
Track listing
- "Spotlight" -4:11
- "Everyday" -3:22
- "Let Me Out" -4:04
- "Kill Pop" -3:47
- "Unite" -5:12
- "Make You Believe" -3:26
- "Sued" -4:05
- "House Of Chains" -4:42
- "4 Sale" -5:02
- "Your Gov't Loves You" -4:13
Personnel
- Phil Taylor - guitar, vocals
- Bill Hershey - bass guitar
- Jake Stutevoss - lead guitar
- Carl Messina - drums
- Mike Flynn - production
Chart positions
LVL IV spent one week on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
at #153 and reached #4 on Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
with a total of 20 charting weeks.
Album
| Chart | Peak position |
Year |
|---|---|---|
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
153 | 2004 |
| Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
4 | 2004 |
Singles
| Single | Chart | Peak position |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Let Me Out" | 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... |
6 | 2004 |
| "Let Me Out" | Modern Rock Tracks Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs... |
32 | 2004 |
| "Everyday" | 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... |
30 | 2005 |