Comments on: Helmet – Seeing Eye Dog

By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:17:47 +0000

Hey Markoman,
Yea since you're a fan of Helmet, definitely pick this one up.

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By: Lee

Lee — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:16:40 +0000

Thanks aerialmeds……much appreciated.

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By: Markoman

Markoman — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:16:15 +0000

Can't wait to hear the album!
I'm a big fan of Helmet, and i'm sure that this new album can't be bad,as long as it has that unique sound.

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By: Felipe

Felipe — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:26:27 +0000

whats wrong with Aftertaste? rofl

i fking love that album. cheers

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By: aerialmeds

aerialmeds — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:51:26 +0000

Nice review. Though I thought Monochrome was pretty good too. Aftertaste or Size Matters must be the lowest point.

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By: Fravbarberlla

Fravbarberlla — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:44:36 +0000

LA Water is pretty awful. I hope its part of the techno remix of this song and nothing more than that.

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By: Aanchel

Aanchel — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:22:18 +0000

"I do have to say that I found Seeing Eye Dog to be better than Aftertaste, Size Matters and Monochrome combined."
To be honest, I think this line will probably force me to try this album, just to see if I feel the same as it's quite a strong opinion to have. It also subsequently eases my worry that I had over whether this album would be something that I would like.

I will openly admit that I really do not like a lot of the stuff that Helmet have produced over the years, but because of my love for 'Meantime' and 'Betty', I have always been interested in what this band would do next. I'm glad that it seems like there is a fair mix on this album, so I guess I'll have to wait and see what I think of it.

On a side note, I checked Wikipedia to see when this album will actually be released and I found it pretty cool how this review was partially quoted on it.

Awesome review, jsyk.

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By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:58:34 +0000

Thanks for the kind words Mongo. Definitely go out and pick up the record when it comes out. There is only one Helmet and they won't be around forever. So we have to support them while they are still alive and kicking.

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By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:55:54 +0000

Well said mrpenguin

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By: mrpenguin

mrpenguin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:38:46 +0000

firstly, been a fan for close to 20 years. secondly, people hate 'aftertaste'?!?! when Helmet lost Bogdan and Stanier, it sucked, BUT i bought 'size matters' immediately on its release date. the production was great and some songs were memorable. the new musicians brought a different style that didn't distract, and they're tight on that album. here's my problem with the last two releases: Hamilton's vocals and his different style approach at writing lyrics. i liked the lyrical content that didn't make sense, blended well with the music, and acted as more of another instrument. the lyrics now are personal and too focused. that's fine, it's his band and that's the way he has evolved, but in my opinion that's why those albums don't get heavy rotation for me. can't believe people didn't like 'aftertaste' but liked these two last releases. i remember someone inspired Hamilton's approach on vocals/writing… Charlie Clouser. still gonna buy anything they put out, because they do DESTROY live and deserve credit for so much of the influence they provided. am i dumb to buy music i don't like? no, because i'll get the album, support the artist, and pull what i can sonically from it. i agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY with the person up there that said something about 'Meantime II' or 'Betty II', i'm not waiting for those releases, but sometimes growing with the artist doesn't come as naturally as you wish it would.

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By: Mongo

Mongo — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:34:16 +0000

Great review. I've been looking forward to hearing opinions on the new album for a while now and you're the first. That being said and after listening to the samples, I think I'm on track to being disappointed again. I have been a Helmet fan for almost 18 years now. I've seen them play live at least 10 or 11 times and I've collected a lot of their rare stuff over the years. But sadly, Page can't seem to capture the magic after the main lineup broke up post 'Aftertaste'. The best, post record IMHO being 'Size Matters'.
In the late 90's/early '00's Page put together a project called 'Ghandi' and recorded a few demos. A lot (if not all) of those demos made onto Helmet records (most notably 'Size Matters' and 'Monochrome') and frankly even these demos sound better than anything on 'Monochrome' and the few I've sampled for 'Seeing Eye Dog'. Frankly, I think it has more to do with the production values than anything else and perhaps the W.Tiers argument bears some merit. The riffs are there on 'Monchrome' and 'Seeing…'and the vox are strong as ever (again, IMHO) but the songs overall just sound, well, muted. Like the heavy-ness was sucked out. The soul is there and it's definitely Page's show, but it just sounds bad. Heck, just listen to 'Smart' off of 'Size Matters' and tell me where a comparable song is on 'Monochrome' or 'Seeing Eye Dog'.

I love Helmet and always will, but maybe it's just time to switch gears and get some pros back in the outfit full time (like Tempasta, Traynor, and Bello et al- if they are willing to do it) because I'm sure there's others out there willing to collaborate and the fans have only gotten good music when that happens.

Whatever you do, just don't stop making music Mr. Hamilton. There's only room for improvement.

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By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:57:30 +0000

Thanks Todd for the kind words. Yea bro, give it a listen…its totally worth it.

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By: Todd

Todd — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:09:26 +0000

This is a solid review that genuinely got me interested in Helmet again. My main problem is : Page's vocals on 'miserable' are excellent……why doesn't he stick to what he can do best? His sneer/talk and yell/bark on these 3 sample tracks is unlistenable and embarassing : ( . It's a shame…the music is closer than ever to capturing their brilliance in the 90's. I'll def check out the current lineup live. This at least gives me hope. You're def on point with the " probably best since Aftertaste" statement.

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By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 11:42:09 +0000

I understand what you’re saying bios. Since you’re a Helmet fan anyway, go ahead and give the album a shot. I'm sure you won’t be disappointed.

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By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 11:39:47 +0000

Fair enough Ryan and thanks

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By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 11:38:41 +0000

Ha Ha Good point. Maybe Page will just have to play venues that have ramps (built to the stage) for his Rascal (scooter for old people)

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By: bios

bios — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 05:35:19 +0000

Monochrome was almost universally hated by fans. The worst thing about it is they hooked up with W.Tiers again, the guy that produced Strap It On and Meantime, so the fact that it was a disappointment was really hard to take, especially after 'Size Matters'.

The biggest problem i have now is Page's vocals. even in these samples, the guitars are fine, but his vocals just don't have the same edge to them imo.

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By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 05:21:36 +0000

Diehard Helmet fan. Loved everything they have done, they can do no wrong in my opinion. Found site from the link on other sites and had to check the review out which I think was very well written. I find it unfair Helmet gets ragged on b/c they are not releasing "Meantime II" or "Betty II". It's unfair for a band to have the same rawness well into their 40s as they did in their 20s. They will never release anoter album like those other 2 albums. Just as Slayer is never releasing another "Reign In Blood" or Metallica releasing another "Master Of Puppets". The common bond with all of those albums is they were written by bands in their 20s. Just the nature of the beast. If anybody sees Helmet live they will know that they still bring it live, probably more than alot of bands half their age. Embrace Helmet for what they are now, not something that they were in '92. Again Lee, great review. I'm jealous you got to hear it in full already.

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By: Todd

Todd — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 03:26:30 +0000

If they stay around for another 20 years Page will be 70 : )

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By: Lee

Lee — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 01:02:30 +0000

Vincent, I'm with you bro Love me some Helmet; but even though I'm a huge fan, I have to look at things from a perspective of indifference. I enjoyed this album, but I do miss the raw aggressiveness that the band had early in their career. With that being said, Helmet is an incredible band both live and on record, and I hope they stick around for another 20 years.

Thanks for commenting…

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By: Vincent

Vincent — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 23:12:38 +0000

I have to disagree with all the Helmet hating. I just saw them a month ago and they blew me away. As a longtime Helmet fan, I really enjoy all of their albums……..really like "Size Matters" and "Aftertaste". I think their recent music has been some of their best and "Seeing Eye Dog" will continue the trend. 19 years of being a fan can't be wrong can it?

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By: JasonC

JasonC — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 22:04:24 +0000

I think its hilarious when people want to bicker about what things sound like. Like the reviewer said, people hear different things, so what does it really matter. So he hears a "Queens Of The Stone Age style backdrop." That does not mean that the song sounds like QOTSA. That merely means there are instrumental parts that sound like it, not the entire song. "Aftertaste" was horrible and "Size Matters" and "Monochrome" were just kind of there. IMO this band will never be what they were. But like I said, Its my opinion.

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By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:58:37 +0000

I think Helmet sucks ass. Their first few albums were great, but the last few blew balls. The review did keep my interest enough to possibly give this one a listen. Great job!

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By: Lee

Lee — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:56:25 +0000

Hey, that's cool you got to listen to it. That's the beautiful thing about music, we can all hear different things, enjoying them or not. I agree that "Seeing Eye Dog" is a great song though. I also agree that “LA Water” doesn’t sound like Smashing Pumpkins, but his voice does sound like Billy Corgan though. LOL!

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By: ViagraBaby

ViagraBaby — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:20:06 +0000

I'm a long time fan of the band and think I'll probably like this album a lot more than the reviewer. Ironically, the last Helmet album, Monochrome, really didn't appeal to me very much but this one sounds like it will. Helmet just floats my boat. Size Matters and Aftertaste were solid albums to me. At first I was thrown by them but damn they've grown on me over time to the point where I HAVE to have them thrown into my iPod mixes or I'm not satisfied. The sound on Size Matters is HUUUUUUUUGE – I love it! I don't like a lot of Foo Fighters but I love a lot of Helmet!

I must agree with the person above: the choruses have been really good on a lot of Helmet's later albums; a lot of them have been catchy, powerful, and uplifting. Just really damn refreshing. The verses haven't always matched that praise but they do on enough cuts to keep this old dog happy! I'm glad Page has managed to squeeze out another album and I hope he squeezes them out for another decade.

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