Home

Sevendust

Price: $12.14

Home wasn't a place Sevendust saw much of following the 1997 release of their self-titled debut. The Atlanta-bred quintet spent nearly two years on the road, eventually earning gold status for Sevendust. The result is a band that is tight, precise, and finely honed. The songs on Home, however, while boasting a heavy and headbanging coolness like the Deftones with a touch of Faith No More funkiness, tend toward the unremarkable and redundant. The lack of hooks aside, Home still sounds excellent, thanks to producer Toby Wright (Fishbone, Korn), who ably captured the band's ample instrumental and vocal talent. Still, most listeners would be hard-pressed to sing along--or describe the difference between--"Home," "Denial," and several of the other aggro, riff-based songs on Home. While vocalist Lajon Witherspoon is powerful and melodic and writes thoughtful, personal lyrics, a welcome diversion is the addition of Skunk Anansie singer Skin on "Licking Cream," her wailing wakes (and shakes!) up the song and the record. It may be where their hearts are, but Home won't make Sevendust household names. Katherine Turman