Sick Puppies

Tri-Polar Deluxe Edition

 

Shimon Moore - lead vocals, guitar

Emma Anzai - bass, backing vocals

Mark Goodwin – drums

 

            The Sick Puppies have been everywhere here of late. They started in 1997 and haven’t looked back. In 2007 they released their second album All Dressed Up. They came back again in 2009 with their huge album Tri-Polar. That’s when they took off like a rocket ship. They hit huge tour after huge tour, stopping in for one or two day festivals. They recently release an album with re-recorded tracks from their Tri-Polar album as well as a track from All Dressed Up. The 7 track (well 14 since they placed the originals along with those re-done numbers) record titled Polar Opposite hit stores in early 2011. The only thing left to do besides hit the studio for an entirely new release was place out a deluxe edition of Tri-Polar. It just recently hit stores and not only includes an entire disc of the original release, but they add in the Polar Opposite release as well as 3 B-sides and a bonus track. We will dabble in the original Tri-Polar release then hit disc 2 hard for a full review. “War” is very raw. It’s not over produced or overworked. “I Hate You” offer slow verses that are clear and precise. “Riptide” drops the hammer straight off with a heavy bass, drums, then adding in guitars and fast vocal set. It is a catchy song as you really start to get deep into the track. “You’re Going Down” is a dark, raw track the draws you in close and gives you a couple body shots. It doesn’t give you a knockout blow that you expect with the buildup it offers, but it is still top notch The Exies shit. “Odd One” throws some serious bass at you that if you don’t get out of the way off, Emma will drop those heavy lines right on top of your head. “So What I Lied” builds and builds then lets off a bit of steam over and over, until it hits the drum solo in the middle which turns into an explosion “Survive” soars with huge guitars, driving drums, and an odd vocal not. “Should’ve Known Better” slaps you upside the head with a quick bass then the guys join in for a fast pace onslaught. With super fast vocals, see if you can keep up. “Maybe” slows to a crawl compared to the rest of the album. It still delivers a punch and an uplifting attitude. “Don’t Walk Away” is a nice change of pace for this raw, energetic album. “Master of the Universe” is another change of pace, but this time it works with its musical diversity and knuckleball vocals. The guitar picking is fabulous as Emma and Shimon battle it out and Mark lay down the platform to do so. “In It For Life” goes back to the raw side of things. The drums really stand out as Mark beats down the path for the guitars and vocals to stride down catching nothing on their sleeves or pant legs. “White Balloons” ends the album on a duet. Emma and Shimon place both the vocal skills on the platform for all to enjoy. Disc two begins with the Polar Opposite, unplugged stuff. “You’re Going Down” is the first track that steps up. They slow it way down and place a huge emphasis on the vocal set. It puts a great twist on an already awesome tune. They still have the thick bass line in spots, but also place in a nice section that flirts with a country twang. They wrap the tune up with a sadistic female laugh that will give you chills. “Riptide” offers up a slower version than the original and displays some backing vocals from Emma. They don’t get rid of the drums all together either, leaving them hanging around for a quick snip, before getting back to the bongo drums. It adds in some flavor without killing the original. The smash hit “Maybe” which is an upbeat number that really captures your heart; gets a nice little make over. The opening part is slower and softer as it glides past. The heartwarming vocals mixed with the upbeat nature of the tunes, provides an excellent chance to get to close your eyes and enjoy. “Odd One” is just that. The opening segment is completely different as female vocals do much of the work before the main vocals enter. By this point the main vocal sets is getting a bit boring and streamlined, but let’s press on. The track does add something to the original as multiple vocals come in and out. “Don’t Walk Away” is a slower track to begin with so there is not much changing in that aspect. What does change of course is the guitar play and lack of drums. Passion comes flooding from the lead vocals as the song floats past. “All the Same” is the only track that doesn’t come from the latest album Tri-Polar. It slows way down musically with some extra instruments added to spice things up. Passion filled lead vocals arise once again and the tune just glides along with ease. It will have you closing your eyes while you belt out the lyrics right along with the band. “White Balloons” ends the unplugged section with an okay rendition of the track. It begins much the same and stays on the same pace. The only difference is the music when the chorus comes in. I definitely prefer the original ten-fold in this case, but I do have to say that I like the extra instruments that they place in the track. The “B” sides step up next with “Dead Space.” It begins with a simple guitar for a few seconds. The vocals and drums then enter. The drums hit the ground running while the vocals offer up a weird set. They time some time to get use to and really after several times through I’m not completely comfortable with them. They do get a bit better as the tempo and speed of the track increases, but it’s those lull spots that I couldn’t quite get into. “Pretender” very well could have been on the original album. It has a killer vibe and vocals that are easy to pick up. You can definitely rock out to this one and it adds to disc 2. “Til Something Breaks” is really the middle child of the 3 “B” side tunes. It is a shorter tune, but offers up some killer tunes and descent vocals. The chorus is sweet with huge vocals and grinding music. There is a solo section though that doesn’t sound solid as it’s a bit sketchy. “Monsters” the bonus track wraps up disc 2 as well as the set. It opens up and comes back to an arrangement that sound very similar to another tune, just with a slight modification. As the song progresses it does grab at you a bit more until you finally give in to it. Overall this is a great deluxe album. They go above and beyond what a normal deluxe album has on it right now. Not only do you get a killer album, but you also get some of the same tunes worked a different way with a different flavor. Then on top of that you get 4 more tracks. The more I listen to disc 1, the original Tri-Polar I have to give it a 9 and this new disc 2 I’m going to say it’s about an 8. If you are a fan or not you need to check this out, you will not be disappointed.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

1. War
2. I Hate You
3. Riptide
4. You’re Going Down
5. Odd One
6. So What I Lied
7. Survive
8. Should’ve Know Better
9. Maybe
10. Don’t Walk Away
11. Master of the Universe
12. In It For Life
13. White Balloons