Broke
From a band worthy of worship byKorn,Limp Bizkit, andPapa Roachfans, (hed)'s second album is a dozen-song collection that's personal, versatile, and eminently listenable. Much ofBroke's dark yet surprisingly melodic and memorable charm lies in the portentous and chaotic musical climate the band creates. The well-crafted tunes explore a gamut of styles within the loosely defined hip-hop/metal genre, moving from the primal groove of "Killing Time" to the lively,Van Halen-inspired "Feel Good." The sextet includes a turntablist in DJ Product c. 1969, plus two guitarists, allowing the lineup to create a massive sound rife with subtle textures. From the psychotic vocals of "Pac Bell" to the epic rock chorus and hip-hop verses of "Bartender,"  (hed) seamlessly weave close-to-the-bone angst with commensurate musicality. This on-the-rise Orange Country band have definitely delivered the goods with this one.--Katherine Turman