Pillar � Fireproof
Hobo Review

Pillar � Fireproof
Label: MCA
Rating:

Pillar's first record Fireproof was originally recorded and released under a small indie label in 1998. 200,000 record sales later, Pillar had attracted several major name labels looking to sign up the young rockers.

After releasing their follow-up album Above, Pillar decided Fireproof could go beyond what little justice the indie label had done them, and recorded and released the record under MCA Records. The album was produced and remixed by Murdoch (Godsmack) and Rich Costey (Audioslave, R.A.T.M.).

The reasons behind the rerelease seem obvious enough after a single spin of the disc. The radio-friendly, Christian rap/rock band stands up and in some cases rivals their cited influences and idols.

However if you're searching for band which pushes rock's conventions to the limits with a distinctly different sound, alas Pillar would not satisfy your palate. The bands influences can clearly be heard, echo's from P.O.D. and Linkin Park � and in small doses Foo Fighters and Incubus - can be heard throughout the album.

The band's first single and title track Fireproof provides a solid rock feel, complete with a full-on onslaught of guitars and a loud fierce hook. Perhaps the only song with a complete absence of rapping (thank god), and a clear head above all other tracks on the album. The single brings out the bands real potential, perhaps providing them with some direction to gear future releases as the rock/rap �thang' slowly fades into the background.

What follows is a hip-hop cross rap album, although tracks like A Shame provide interesting hooks, and a slightly more rock orientated introspective feel. And what CD would be complete without a ballad? The final track Further >From Myself acts as the ballad to this album, sounding painfully like a thoughtful Incubus-cross-Linkin Park track.

The band shows potential, no doubt, but the preoccupation with hip-hop brings the band down. Out of the eleven-track release, only three refuse to submit to the extremely worn, torn and bored rap structure. True, for some rap-rock does work, but for Pillar, the absence of innovation produces a bland formula, which quickly slips into repetition.

If the single catches you, plan to be disappointed and confused as you attempt to figure out if you're CD players stuck on repeat. The rapping only reiterates what has come prior to the disc in the world of POD. However if you're not interested in variety this may be the band for you.

A well-produced album from a band with an obvious future ahead of them in the world of the mainstream. Perhaps their next release will diverge from rap and focus on the more Incubus come Foo Fighter's side of the band we can only glimpse at. Sadly the album fails to deliver what the single so strongly promised.

Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online