Hope in Anguishby Anonymous

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June 28, 2003: I happen to be a huge fan of Orange County rockers East West, dating all the way back to their early beginnings. I’ve watched them grow from a nobody garage band to an artistic machine with more potential than they know what to do with. After two moderately successful albums, 1998’s self-titled release and the magnificent follow up, The Light In Guinevere’s Garden from 2001, the guys have recently delivered their most promising work to date. Hope In Anguish is the eagerly anticipated new CD from this extraordinary group of musicians, and it comes right at a time when the market is ripe and full of opportunity. At first listen it initially appears as though very little has changed in the sound of East West, but this is only a precursor to what awaits the listener. As the CD progresses it is very evident that these guys are branching out with their sound to incorporate even more poignant vocal lines that are increasingly melancholy rather than angry in nature, and music that is neither contrived nor forced. The addition of guitar solos is a bold move, to say the least, and the significantly impressive bass solo found on the first track “Vacant” gives bassist J.J. (James Jenkins) a precedent over his peers. Lyrically the band has once again shown their intelligence with words that are rooted in deep emotion. The overall sound of Hope In Anguish draws on a hybrid of influences including, but not limited to, Powerman 5000, Deftones, Pantera, and U2. While definitely containing a noticeable presence of these artists throughout the CD it is, at the same time, a sound and style unto its own. As I expect their fan base to expand with this latest chapter in the band’s career, there is the possibility that some of their longtime followers may not embrace this album whole-heartedly; this is mainly due to the absence of original guitarist Mike Housen, AKA ‘House’. It can honestly be said that change is good and new axe slinger Jon Druse does a bang up job of filling the void. Apart from the aforementioned obvious, Hope In Anguish does present a few other deviations such as a slower-paced and less aggressive theme as well as the lack of super-catchy hooks found in the band’s earlier efforts. Not that this is a bad thing as the new direction of East West shows a maturity that many artists in their genre never achieve. I, too, admit that I was a bit skeptical at first but I’ve always believed that there are three ways to adequately evaluate a piece of music. First there are those particular recordings that are instant pleasers; you love them as soon as you hear them. Unfortunately this means there aren’t any real surprises and you will most likely forget about it within a very short period of time. Or you may chalk it up to being a great sounding disc but nothing landmark because it doesn’t push the boundaries of the imagination, thus leaving it somewhere between good and great but nowhere close to being over the top. Next you have the type of album that you absolutely hate for any number of reasons, most of which aren’t even worth mentioning. Finally there is that one CD that has to grow on you because it is so different, or maybe only slightly different, whatever the case it beckons for your attention. Sometimes it’s too subtle to pinpoint, but you know it rubs against your comfort zone just enough to intrigue you to pick it apart until you feel...