Context is everything. I first slipped this CD on when I had some work I needed to do. The work was not complex. My problem was with motivation. Dead End Dreaming gave me the energy I needed. With its standard European gothic rock guitars and Peter Steele-style deep vocals, it made me wonder what Type O Negative are up to these days, but otherwise didn’t distract from the task in hand. The production is glossy and would appeal to fans of The Rasmus who are looking for something a little stronger for their next tipple. 

On “Dead End Hero” singer Michelle Darkness – probably not the name he was baptised with – reminds me of Eddie Vedder. There’s something about the earnestness of Michelle’s delivery that means this song wouldn’t be out of place on an early Pearl Jam album. This isn’t music that challenges the listener and this is fine. I don’t want to be challenged all the time. Sometimes I’m happy to listen to a formula I like. Michelle has a versatility to his voice which means that while all the songs sound like the same band the enjoyment doesn’t get dulled by repetition. He probably won’t thank me for it but there’s something Fred Durst-like about his delivery on “Speed My Drug”.
After luring the casual listener in with the opening goth-rock pop songs things take a darker turn for “Cure My Pain” but there’s still nothing here to disturb the average large-trousered youngster in love with Marilyn Manson. With its references to ‘razor blades’ and being ‘lost in this world’ it’s bound to appeal to teenagers – and the inner teenager in all of us – everywhere. The subject of teen suicide is a serious one, though I’m not sure End of Green have much to add to the debate. Perhaps it is the duty of bands to explore situations rather than present solutions.

Michelle goes Peter Steele for the verse of “Weakness” but the chorus is poppy enough to remind me of Mega City Four. In a sense it’s understandable that End of Green find their inspiration in negativity but I would be delighted if they could cover some of the positive emotions, like Tiamat did memorably on “Vote For Love”. Sure life can be filled with doom and gloom, but I refuse to believe that’s all there is. Take for example “Sick One” which sounds like a rockier version of Crash Test Dummies without the quirky humour to sugar the pill. What End of Green need is a wider palette of colours to draw from.

If there were fewer bands in the world producing music then I’d probably listen to End of Green more. They are good at what they do and I enjoy their stuff while I’m listening to it. Ultimately the blandness that made them so good as backing to my tasks means they are disposable and forgettable. By polishing what they have done all the rough edges are removed and anything that would make them interesting in the long term is removed. Maybe in the raw energy of the live performance these songs really shine, but on CD it doesn’t do it for me. 

Tracks:
No Coming Home
Dead End Hero
Speed My Drug
Cure My Pain
Weakness
Sad Song
So Many Voices
Sick One
She’s Wild
Drink Myself to Sleep
All About Nothing 
The players: 
Matthias Siffermann – drums
Rainer Hampel – bass
Michelle Darkness - vocals/guitar
Oliver Merkle - guitar
Michael Setzer – guitar

The website: www.endofgreen.de 

11/23/05