The Fake Sound of Progress
The Lostprophets CD booklet proclaims: "6 bored kids = melody-aggression-emotion-energy-intelligence." What it doesn't say, but should: "If you likeIncubus, you'll like Lostprophets." The British outfit mines much of the same territory as their more thoughtful nu metal, new millennium brethren, mixing an earnest Incubus hippie vibe withCreed-like sincerity and dash a ofFaith No Moreoddity and syncopation for a commercial, if not groundbreaking, sound. Vocalist Ian Watkins has personality and passion and the band's playing is crisp and dynamic. Turntables, loops, and keyboards lend depth and hip-hop flavor to the melodic, tightly wound rock. The 11 songs here are all uniformly strong and intense, if not always deep and unique.--Katherine Turman