Warning: This review contains adult themes. Please do not read it if you are easily offended
I fully expected to find pages of reviews of Weight and was shocked to find only two. Maybe it’s lack of mainstream exposure or the fact the Mr. Rollins reads Epinions and could very well hunt down those that don’t review his material with passion and vigor. So to Mr. Rollins I have this to say; Hank – you are the embodiment of all that is raw and criminally vulgar. You speak the words that most keep locked inside – deep in a festering pit of hatred and animosity.
To say that Weight is for everyone is a gross understatement. A small population will find this entertaining – the rest will be repulsed and offended. So, if you like nice neat little reviews of music then I suggest that you skip this. Only a select few will get the real message here – my feeble attempt at deciphering the inner workings of Mr. Rollins poetic enigma.
Weight is the absolute embodiment of anger, revenge and hate. Before you jump to a conclusion – it’s not racist type hate or racially motivated hate – just pure 100% pure hate. Hate of the system, hate of someone who hurt you or even hate of modern society. Hate is a very powerful thing – it can motivate – destroy – depress – compel and even kill. Rollins expresses his emotions with such a force that it is hard not to feel a charge from his words. He has the ability to take a song and transform it into a visual picture that each person interprets differently.
The songs on Weight are overwhelming; so much so that listening to it the first time was draining for me. Liar was the song that did me in; it simply broke me. Unfortunately, I am not the only person that can identify with this song – and the cruel reality of the words. Even after listening to it over 100 times it still hit home with me.
My only real complaint with Weight is that the words on the liner notes are incorrect on almost every song. Call me strange but I like to read the lyrics and try to pick apart the songs. It’s hard to do that when they are wrong or missing. Hence my ever growing collection of notebooks with altered and updated liner notes and lyrics.
Disconnect
An absorbing song involving the ever-growing media overload you are exposed to everyday. It may start off sounding mellow but it gains speed fast – and just keeps on going. This is a great song for driving in traffic – people give me the weirdest looks when then see me head banging on the freeway to this song. It’s not the strongest or loudest song but it does smoke.
Too bad at the end of the day the only thoughts
in your brain are all the things they say….
Fool
Not your normal love song – more like a post relationship blues. Realizing you’ve been taken is one thing but to have friends say “I told you so….” just makes it worse. Fool is a song almost every person can relate to – losing someone you cared about only to realize that they never gave a $hit about you. Being rejected and dumped hurts enough but to have someone just rip your heart out and step on it – well, that just plain sucks. This song should be required listening to anyone who is sitting on the couch depressed that the prom queen dumped them.
I’ve watched you front teeth sharpen
and I’ve felt your muscle flex
You have the kind of eyes
that turn mere mortals into wrecks
Icon
A solid and hard song about the untouchable icon. Unlike most songs about people who have grown to legendary status – this one falls – and falls hard. It’s like the saying give someone enough rope and they will hang themselves; Icon tells the tale of a person who got too greedy and paid the price. It’s a fast hard song – reminds me of the metal from the early 80’s with strong bass and driving guitar bits.
Tragic hero – coming down hard – the joke’s on you
you got played like a deck of cards
Civilized
A gang song from the flipside. Instead of glamorizing the lifestyle it give the grim reality of it. How the record companies are pimping these little rap stars and making the money off them. Kind of like disposable ATM’s – work them to the bones the scoop up some new talent. Sorry, I have a hard time feeling pity for someone who thinks flashing a gun is cool. The end of the song contains some “spoken work” comments from Mr. Rollins
(spoken word)
I wonder what you’re like without the gun –
I’d like to see you when you’re not hiding behind the gun
How you would live your life without the gun
Because I know how I live mine because you’ve got one……..
Divine
This song is also called Divine Object of Hatred. It deals with hate – and how hate boils. Hating someone for the color of their skin or how they choose to dress – or even based on sexual orientation - is just unacceptable. Now, if someone smites you – that’s a different story. Overall the song is dark – violent and expressive. One of the strongest songs on this topic by the band.
High on your poison – I am divine
Liar
One of the most popular songs from the Rollins Band – it is a song that breaks me down every time I listen to it. It’s about someone pushing your buttons – telling you what you want to hear – then totally mind f*cking you. The reason this hit home with me is that it happened to me. Someone found my insecurity and exploited it – masturbated my ego in such a way that I totally fell for this person. He made me feel that he was the only person that could ever accept me for who I am, what I like and what makes me happy. You exist under some blanket of security – thinking you found someone that will love you and accept you – then you come home to an empty house, jacked up credit cards, an empty bank account and realize that that blanket of security was nothing more than a blinder of reality. Liar serves as a warning to these social leeches who prey on the “less than pretty” or “emotionally devastated” – they don’t care about you – just your money. This song is on my top ten list even though it pains me to hear the words – but it serves as a constant reminder that these people exist – and thrive on those that society deems ‘less than perfect’.
I’ll come to you an affliction and leave you like an addiction….
You’ll never forget me……
Step Back
Step Back is a revenge song – pure and simple. Henry’s vocals are astounding – he puts his all into the presentation. A great song to listen to when your boss is on your last nerve or that special someone is pushing an issue just a bit too far. The best part is the “spoken word” section at the end of the song. They aren’t included in the liner notes so make sure you listen good and hard.
Do you really want to confront me?
Do you really want to deal with me?
No.
I didn’t think so
Wrong Man
Wow. Scorned women taking out their hatred on all men they meet. This is a great song – on every level – it serves as a reminder that not all men are pigs. Perfect for women carrying emotional baggage. It really made me stop and think of the pressure someone could put on someone in a new relationship – wondering if they will lie, cheat, steal and break your heart. An essential listen for every person in the “post break up haze of indecision”.
I’m not the rapist in waiting
I’m not the one you should be hating
Volume 4
A powerful tale of suicide and death; not wanting to live and trying to find a reason to live. Some people say this is about post war syndrome but I just don’t get it from the lyrics. It’s not one my favorite tracks but I don’t cringe when it comes on.
Now I go from day to day – and wait around to die
Tired
Tired is more ‘spoken word’ than actual singing. It does contain a minimal amount of music in the background but the conviction of the song is in Henry’s story telling ability. Again, he shows his talent for painting a visual picture and allowing each person to fill in the blanks.
I don’t want to kill one of these walking insects
But I’ll do it
I’m getting so tired
Alien Blueprint
Making a mistake is never a great experience but making the same mistake over and over just sucks. Learning from them is supposed to make you a better person – in most cases it does. Other times it can leave you feeling ostracized – like an alien – hence the title of the song. A fast paced song that borders on a punk vibe.
The best revenge is to always survive yourself
Shine
Triumphing over all the people who told you that you would never amount to anything has to be one of the best feelings. Shine deals with seizing the moment and not letting those who stand in your way get the best of you. A great motivation song – the lyrics are awesome – should be required listening for every depressed young adult in corporate America.
If I took the time to bleed from all the little tiny arrows shot my way – I wouldn’t be here
So, here we are at the end of the playlist. I’ve tried my hardest to verbally translate the words and music of the Rollins Band and I hope you’ve been open to the experience. This CD is extremely powerful – and not for everyone. If you have even an ounce of hate lurking in your mind then this might be the tool you need to vent it – without hurting anyone. Try an emotional enema of Liar cranked to 20 on the stereo and screaming you a$$ off. They say milk does a body good – so does the Rollins Band.
Thanks for the read….. ^V^ Freak ^V^
End Note: My sick twisted obsession with Mr. Rollins has invaded my dreams. Certain people can now snicker away - knowing exactly what this means
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