14-04-2012, 11:41
online listen
melodic metal
at least an attempt
some screaming, some singing, some talking
not much for me, but you're not me
1.2 from me and a converted 1.8 from the pros at allmusic
from the album - No Surrender
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mECV-1JqOBs
released Apr 10th, 2012
![[Image: r70476nlt27.jpg]](http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drr700/r704/r70476nlt27.jpg)
Bio - from allmusic
Ann Arbor, MI's own Taproot sent their demo to Limp Bizkit's frontman/business entrepreneur Fred Durst in 1998, not
ever thinking Durst would call them back personally. To the band's surprise, Durst replied, promising the alt-punk
metal quartet the world. But Durst apparently took too long to deliver the goods, for Taproot -- whose lineup
comprised frontman Stephen Richards, guitarist Michael DeWolf, bassist Philip Lipscomb, and drummer Jarrod Montague
-- landed a deal with Atlantic Records instead. Durst felt betrayed and vented his frustration to various media
outlets, but an unfazed Taproot focused on their debut, Gift, which arrived in June 2000 and unveiled the band's
tough thrash sound.
Thanks to support from Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack, Taproot scored a spot on the second stage on the 2000 Ozzfest
tour. Two years later, Rolling Stone hailed Taproot as "the next contenders for the new-metal crown." The band then
spent seven months in Los Angeles recording the fierce, introspective sophomore album Welcome, which earned
accolades from such publications as Vanity Fair. The album eventually peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200.
Blue-Sky Research appeared in August 2005; produced by Toby Wright (who also helmed the group's previous album), it
also included three songs co-written with Billy Corgan. A split with Atlantic Records followed, and Taproot opted
to independently issue their next record. Our Long Road Home arrived in 2008, having been recorded in the band's
native Ann Arbor with producer Tim Patalan. After signing to Victory Records, the band set to work recording new
material. In 2010 they released their fifth album, Plead the Fifth, on Victory, followed by The Episodes in 2012.
Album Review - from allmusic
After the back-to-basics Plead the Fifth, Taproot once again get serious on The Episodes, an ambitious concept
album that finds them reconnecting with their prog side without quite abandoning the churning nu-metal that brought
them to the attention of Fred Durst at the beginning of their career. Despite those remnants of heavy fifth
harmonies in the voices and guitars, The Episodes is certainly a record that flaunts its self-stylized
complexities, frequently drifting into extended instrumental interludes, taking its time as it cascades from quiet
to loud, often finding space for ominous recitals from a Speak & Spell. While the latter feels like a tired
gimmick, on the whole The Episodes is refreshing when compared to the head-down rock of Plead the Fifth. Perhaps
The Episodes never relates a coherent story line -- it's impossible to tell what the story is without too close of
a listen -- the album nevertheless gels musically and it's one of the band's better efforts.
Track Listing
1. Good Morning
2. No Surrender
3. Lost Boy
4. Memorial Park
5. The Everlasting
6. Around the Bend
7. A Kiss From the Sky
8. Strange & Fascinating
9. A Golden Grey
10. We Don't Belong Here
melodic metal
at least an attempt
some screaming, some singing, some talking
not much for me, but you're not me
1.2 from me and a converted 1.8 from the pros at allmusic
from the album - No Surrender
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mECV-1JqOBs
released Apr 10th, 2012
Bio - from allmusic
Ann Arbor, MI's own Taproot sent their demo to Limp Bizkit's frontman/business entrepreneur Fred Durst in 1998, not
ever thinking Durst would call them back personally. To the band's surprise, Durst replied, promising the alt-punk
metal quartet the world. But Durst apparently took too long to deliver the goods, for Taproot -- whose lineup
comprised frontman Stephen Richards, guitarist Michael DeWolf, bassist Philip Lipscomb, and drummer Jarrod Montague
-- landed a deal with Atlantic Records instead. Durst felt betrayed and vented his frustration to various media
outlets, but an unfazed Taproot focused on their debut, Gift, which arrived in June 2000 and unveiled the band's
tough thrash sound.
Thanks to support from Ozzy Osbourne's son Jack, Taproot scored a spot on the second stage on the 2000 Ozzfest
tour. Two years later, Rolling Stone hailed Taproot as "the next contenders for the new-metal crown." The band then
spent seven months in Los Angeles recording the fierce, introspective sophomore album Welcome, which earned
accolades from such publications as Vanity Fair. The album eventually peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200.
Blue-Sky Research appeared in August 2005; produced by Toby Wright (who also helmed the group's previous album), it
also included three songs co-written with Billy Corgan. A split with Atlantic Records followed, and Taproot opted
to independently issue their next record. Our Long Road Home arrived in 2008, having been recorded in the band's
native Ann Arbor with producer Tim Patalan. After signing to Victory Records, the band set to work recording new
material. In 2010 they released their fifth album, Plead the Fifth, on Victory, followed by The Episodes in 2012.
Album Review - from allmusic
After the back-to-basics Plead the Fifth, Taproot once again get serious on The Episodes, an ambitious concept
album that finds them reconnecting with their prog side without quite abandoning the churning nu-metal that brought
them to the attention of Fred Durst at the beginning of their career. Despite those remnants of heavy fifth
harmonies in the voices and guitars, The Episodes is certainly a record that flaunts its self-stylized
complexities, frequently drifting into extended instrumental interludes, taking its time as it cascades from quiet
to loud, often finding space for ominous recitals from a Speak & Spell. While the latter feels like a tired
gimmick, on the whole The Episodes is refreshing when compared to the head-down rock of Plead the Fifth. Perhaps
The Episodes never relates a coherent story line -- it's impossible to tell what the story is without too close of
a listen -- the album nevertheless gels musically and it's one of the band's better efforts.
Track Listing
1. Good Morning
2. No Surrender
3. Lost Boy
4. Memorial Park
5. The Everlasting
6. Around the Bend
7. A Kiss From the Sky
8. Strange & Fascinating
9. A Golden Grey
10. We Don't Belong Here