Review by Zach Hannon
I’ve been a fan of Protest the Hero ever since a buddy introduced me to their music back in 2008, so I was overly excited when I heard they were releasing a new album this year. Scurrilous (2011), the new disc, is more like their first major studio album Kezia (2005) and features work that will definitely interest current fans, maybe even turn some new heads. This album might just be Protest the Hero’s best yet.
With this new release, the band maintained their commitment to their music that fans have come to expect. Guitarists Tim Millar and Luke Hoskin really deliver on the guitar tracks, while singer Rody Walker provides great vocals. Bassist Arif Mirabdolbaghi and Drummer Moe Carlson give great rhythms that back the songs up with a distinct sound, reminding you that even though these are the musicians you’ve come to know and love, they still have a few tricks up their sleeves that we haven’t seen yet. While this album may not be as hard as their 2008 release Fortress, it still delivers what I believe the fans want to hear and definitely will not disappoint.
All of the songs on this album are simply amazing; the vocals paint vivid stories with deep moments of meaning, while the instrumentals are constant and solid. This is what Protest The Hero does, make a great album and have fun while doing it. Scurrilous is my favorite album yet, and to give you a preview of the sound of this new album, I would suggest that it might be a good idea to take a listen to some of the key tracks from Kezia: “Heretics & Killers”, “Blindfolds Aside” and “The Divine Suicide of K.” While the songs are hard for the most part they tend to be soft in just the right moments for that distinct sound. When you remember the tracks on the Kezia album that featured Canadian country star Jadea Kelly on back-up vocals, especially when she played the role of “Kezia”, you immediately recognize her contribution on the sophomore track of Scurrilous. My favorite tracks off this latest offering are “C’est La Vie”, their iTunes single, “Hair-Trigger” and “Termites.”
This is Protest the Hero’s third major studio album and serves as a reminder that the band is able to maintain their individual voice among the New-Age-Pop garbage that is ruining the music industry. I say that Protest needs to keep up the good work and stay ahead of the game. Scurrilous features ten tracks, with vocals written by singer Rody Walker and bassist Arif Mirabdolbaghi, and the album artwork was painted by Arif’s grandfather, Jafar Petgar, 60 years ago. I recommend giving this album a listen then if you like it buy it, like the Protest the Hero Facebook page and listen to their old stuff if you haven’t already. Protest The Hero will be launching a tour through out Canada and the U.S. starting March 23rd.
Nevermind The Posers 