Point One

Unlucky Stars CD/DVD

Len Hotrum – Vocals, Additional Guitar

Keith Wright – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals

Chase Culp – Drums, Percussion, and Backing Vocals

Darren Howard – Bass, Vocals         

            Point One has done a lot of things, crazy and sane, in their short time assaulting our ears with their hard, heavy rock music. From running out of gas in their van to crashing it (which broke Len’s neck), to playing sold out shows with Sevendust, Three Days Grace, Cold, Trapt, Smile Empty Soul, and a Relief show for Hurricane Katrina victims and playing on a stage that other Seattle greats have played one (ie. Nirvana). This is has done so much already and will continue to do so with their newest album “Unlucky Stars.” With sounds of Guns and Roses, Velvet Revolver, and maybe even some Metallica mixed in most of the songs are very raw heavy tunes. The title track “Unlucky Stars,” has spots of brightness, but also spot of vagueness. Its mixes many different styles of music, the beats are there sometimes, but at other times there are rough and hard to bear. Once one can get past those and except the song as a whole it’s an okay track full of twists and turns enroot to an ultimate hard rock goal. “Oxygen,” is offers up a few nice guitar solos and catchy track that has some potential, but seems like we have it heard it somewhere before. It does have nice points though. “Crime” is one of the better built songs on the album. It seems like there are very little flaws in this song. “Best Part of Me,” also have nice guitar solos mixed throughout, but it basically stops there for me. “Cruel,” has more potential then most of the other tracks. I can defiantly see this song getting radio air-plane and maybe even get into a couple movies. “Drama Queen,” is a bit on the pop side of things. The lyrics suggest it with the “Wow, Wow, Drama Queen.” It is very catchy, but doesn’t do it for me on this type of album. “Running Away,” is an interesting track that I couldn’t help but listening to. I listened to it several times and still can get enough of it. It’s just got that mysterious factor in it. The DVD is like a home movie. It shows the band having fun, some interview, and a few glimpses of live shows. There are some funny spots on the DVD, but overall it really doesn’t help the CD. In parts it’s pointless. Overall this is an okay album from the standpoint of music mixture and vocals. The album has rough edges that the band needs to shape into something special. They have a lot of talent that they need to channel and if they do that they will have that “wow” factor.

Rating:  6.5 out of 10

My favorite tracks:

Unlucky Stars, Oxygen, and Cruel

Track List:

1.      Unlucky Stars

2.      Oxygen

3.      Monochrome Mistress

4.      Crime

5.      Best Part of Me

6.      Cruel

7.      Drama Queen

8.      Sometimes

9.      Running Away

10.  Bodies for Freedom

11.  Pain That I Am Used To

Website (s): www.point1music.com