September 17th, 2009 
Grant Trimboli 
Artist: Skillet
Album: Awake
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: Atlantic Records
It was 2006 when Skillet had released a certain album entitled Comatose that hit the airwaves with huge success with 450,000 copies sold. This time around fans have another reason to have faith in this intriguing alternative rock group who seem to build off of every album they’ve previously released. 2009 has showed itself to be an impressive year for quality records and Skillet have proved why they remain at the top of the Billboard and Christian charts. With their new record, Awake, Skillet are reaching beyond their potential to provide us with yet another solid product.
The first two tracks off Awake, “Hero” and “Monster”, are exceptional songs given that they have got everything a radio-friendly DJ would love to spin. “Hero” starts off with a heavy build-up leading straight into the first verse accompanied by rich female singing from Korey Cooper while incorporating harmonies in between. I always enjoy violins working alongside distorted guitar and they pulled it off seamlessly. The next track “Monster” is definitely reminiscent of Three Days Grace’s “Animal I Have Become”. Skillet uses more vocal prowess and has more layering than TDG would; being compared track to track. It has just reached #1 on AOL music after it only premiered last week! These are both well-written tunes with many layers of guitar and vocals that provide substance to support their alternative style of rock.
A track that really caught my attention was “Awake and Alive.” Starting off with an exhilarating burst of violins and power chords and powerful singing from both John and Korey Cooper. This track is definitely on the top of the list for favorites because of the pure energy evoked from it. A promising song that also could possibly appear on the Top 40 charts in the near future.
There are a couple songs that I do have a concern for, those being “Don’t Wake Me” and “Should’ve When You Could’ve”. They basically display the same message of not wanting to speak to your lover after a conflict or difficult situation. It just feels as if the same track was playing twice with different words inserted into the verses and choruses. It’s probably a good thing Skillet placed these tracks far away from each other on the cd.
This is by no means a perfect record but Skillet sure try to push the envelope of their own writing style to give their fans something more. The band, more than anything, want to convey a positive and uplifting message to their fellow listeners by saying, “your not alone in your everyday troubles”. Throwing in hard rock, acoustic, alternative and other styles they show why their fans appreciate the versatility, not conformity, to many styles of music.
Awake will push Gold status very soon and people should view them as a threat on the billboard charts. It is truly a well constructed record but I don’t think it’s anything different we’ve ever heard from this genre of music.
Check Them Out At: http://www.myspace.com/skilletmusic
7/10
Written by: Grant Trimboli [www.twitter.com/utggrant]
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[…] main setlist songs in Guitar Hero 5 that MXTabs.net have legally secured the right to display. Review: Skillet – Awake – underthegunreview.net 09/17/2009 Artist: Skillet Album: Awake Genre: Alternative Rock Label: […]
You know Don’t Wake Me is about missing someone you can’t be with at the moment, NOT ignoring the person.
and Should’ve is about ending a relationship with someone that’s walking all over you. It’s the wise thing to do.
Yes, an excellent album! I listened to thier first CD again last night and can definately hear echos of that in this newest one. The wide swing of styles helps make the album more enjoyable and lasting.
Question – Am I supposed to take this seriously?
Please, PLEASE, do not present facts if you are not sure about them.
Korey Cooper did not do vocals on Awake, it was all Jen Ledger.
Which begs a second question – did you actually buy the CD? It gives Jen credit for vocals. Unless, of course, you stole it from the internet.
The review was done by someone mainly unfamiliar with the band as to not create a fan bias. Our copy was delivered via email. No liner notes.