By In its first major album release, Hinder grabs your attention with the lead singer’s raspy voice, dynamic instrumentals and addicting lyrics.
This Oklahoma City-based band is often compared to the sounds of Nickelback, but you can easily get hooked on the debut album whether you’re a Chad Kroeger fan or not.
Hinder’s album,”Extreme Behavior,” is a follow-up to the successful independent album, “Far From Close,” which sold 5,000 copies, making Hinder a much-wanted band by three major record companies.
Hinder released its debut album under the Universal label in September 2005, and because of the triumphant independent release, Hinder already had a loyal fan base.
“Extreme Behavior” opens with the band’s first single “Get Stoned,” a song that you think would be a party anthem, though the band claims it’s about having a girlfriend that you just can’t leave. The tracks on the album are a mixture of rock songs perfect for the radio.
The songs are either raw and upbeat such as “How Long” and “Room 21,” or emotional, heart-spilling songs like “Better Than Me” and “Lips of an Angel.” Hinder rounds off the 10-track album with the soulful song “Shoulda” about not saying the three words they “shoulda, woulda, coulda” said back.
The album’s combination of songs makes the CD good enough to be listened to from start to finish. There is not one song on the album that can be considered a “filler.” The songs take you from energetic feelings before slowing it down with ballads that make your heart ache, and then pick you back up again with another lively rock ‘n’ roll song. The CD has a track on it for every mood.
Hinder’s songs are written by the drummer Cody Hanson, and lead singer Austin Winkler, who says he is inspired by Steven Tyler, Vince Neil and Buck-cherry’s Josh Todd. Winkler said the lyrics are about getting things off their chest and linking emotions and experiences. In fact, each song presents different lyrics that you can relate to. They are reminiscent of your experiences and even cause you to feel as if they are singing directly to you.
The band’s goal with its music is to bring back the good ol’ days of rock ‘n’ roll, and it wants to be the band that can successfully get people back into rock music, instead of the pop hits tearing up the Top 40 charts.
“Extreme Behavior” should be added to any person’s album collection that enjoyed the old rock days filled with Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones, as well as those who prefer a modern rock sound.
Hinder has a long way to go before it can be on the same level with the likes of its influences Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones, but “Extreme Behavior” is an album worth listening to if you are a fan of rock music.
And if the band keeps delivering hit singles such as the current chart-topper “Lips of an Angel,” it might even see “extreme” success before the band knows it.
