Debut albums are always tricky, but Los Angeles-based Badflower has no problem finding its sound with OK, I’M SICK.
Composed of Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu and Anthony Sonetti, Badflower is full of guitar-heavy angst but isn’t afraid to include a more modern, pop-infused twist. With it’s leading singles, which includes opening track “x ANA x” and the band’s most popular song “Ghost,” the band shows it’s not afraid to get loud and crazy.
OK, I’M SICK evokes all the raucous and crazy elements of Badflower. Within almost every song, lead singer Katz is straining, screaming and seemingly yelling his vocals. It’s high in emotion, high in energy and overall gritty — it’s rock ‘n roll, after all.
Lyrically, Badflower doesn’t stray from any topic. “Ghost” reflects on self-harm and suicide, “Heroin” compares problematic relationships to drug addiction and “Die” is as anti-Trump as it can be. Breaching vulgarity and obscenity seems to be a theme with Badflower. The sexually-charged “Girlfriend” emphasizes online pornography and obsession, and with gritty lyrics, it wouldn’t be surprising if it turns some listeners away.
But for those that stay and are big fans of rock ‘n roll, the vulgarity of Badflower isn’t anything new. Classic rock, as well as ’80s hair metal, has infamously contained obscene lyrics — some which objectify women. It’s gritty, immoral and the darker side of rock music that isn’t talked about.
Badflower definitely has a niche in modern rock music, and though each song on OK, I’M SICK can stand on its own, occasionally the entire album feels weighed down and repetitive. With each high-energy song, it’s easy to lose interest. Listeners get a bit of break with the subdued track “24,” but it’s located smack in the middle of the album. It’s not necessarily an album to listen to front to back. With three of the four singles located in the first five tracks, the album doesn’t do much to entice listeners to the second half.
As said before, Badflower is certain in its sound and image. Gritty, hard rock is what the band specializes in, and though sometimes monotonous and repetitive, it’s well executed. With debuts, a band sometimes sticks to what it knows best and it’s evident that’s the route Badflower took. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but experimentation is hopefully in the band’s future.
Rating: 2.5/5
