Kids, don't believe the hype about sharks in suits and dodgy deals in the music industry because times are changing. Take the example of Eminem who remembered his beloved 'group' D12 when he shot to fame by signing them to his Shady Records. Cue No.1 record and platinum discs. Cheers mate!
And the cynics among you would do well to recall that nu metallers Papa Roach - who conquered the disaffected, black-clad MTV generation with their excellent 'Infest' album - made sure that ex-touring buddies Alien Ant Farm were the first act signed to their own imprint, New Noize (a present from their record company).
Clearly all this doesn't mean they are any good and in the case of D12, without Eminem they'd be nothing. Alien Ant Farm, on the other hand, may have been ignored until now but are definitely going to make it on their own. It's worth taking note of any band that has the audacity to call their debut album 'Greatest Hits'!
The wittily titled major label debut 'ANThology' is by no means the best record to emerge from the nu metal but it's by no means the worst for two very good reasons. The first is the debut UK single 'Movies' (a minor hit in June) which will no doubt re-appear very soon.
The second is the inspired adrenaline rush of the Michael Jackson cover of 'Smooth Criminal' that is guaranteed to put the band on the map and could conceivably top the charts. Drawing a very large and eclectic crowd to their mid-afternoon Reading Festival appearance is evidence of things to come.
The usual themes of isolation, despair and loneliness are all present and correct and, like Linkin Park, the album is virtually profanity-free. Where the 'Farm break new ground is by exploring far more than the quiet-loud-rage-quiet formula with real singing and everything and a fair does of pop melody (see 'Movies', 'Courage', 'Attitude', 'Death Day') that place them more on a radio-friendly rock keel than no holds bared metal.
Being overlooked until now has obviously left a bitter taste in their mouth - "I'm so confused/This industry has left me cold" from 'Whisper'. Alien Ant Farm should have the last laugh.
