SAFETY IN NUMBERS “Build and Structure”
This band is a side-product of Andy Jackson of HOT ROD CIRCUIT, and it plays like exactly what would happen if HOT ROD CIRCUIT crossed over with QUICKSAND. Needless to say, I think this album rules. Everytime I’ve seen HOT ROD CIRCUIT (and that’s gotta be at least 10 times by now), I’ve wondered what would happen if they took advantage of their thick song-structures and tossed in a more hardcore influence – thankfully this has answered my wonderings! As this disc was mixed by Brian McTernan and recorded in his Salad Days studio, the sound between SAFETY IN NUMBERS and HOT ROD CIRCUIT is very similar, but the bands diverge in the “driving groove” department, with SAFETY IN NUMBERS putting up some huge guitar riffs and far more aggressive vocals than the usual laid back stylings of the ‘CIRCUIT. “Build and Structure” isn’t really a “loud” album as the songs are well restrained in holding to quality musicianship, but along those lines, it’s an album that leaves no untidy spots or smudges out of line. Much like QUICKSAND, the power and prowess in SAFETY IN NUMBERS is the overall tightness of the guitar sound, and how the vocals carry over such tautness. The ten tracks (28 minutes) fly by without nary a pause and the lyrical flow couldn’t be paired any better. Not to overshadow HOT ROD CIRCUIT and the merits of said band, but SAFETY IN NUMBERS sports a level of intensity that’s tough to match.
Triple Crown
