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Album Details

• Artist: To My Surprise
• Album: To My Surprise
• Label: Roadrunner
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-12-02

Could a band be more aptly named? To My Surprise is a band spawning from Slipknot. Before you get any preconceived notions about heavy metal running through your skull, take some time to get to know To My Surprise. This is the project from Clown, Sean Crahan the guy that pounds out the heavy beats in Slipknot. There is nary a scream to be found on To My Surprise. Quite the contrary actually. The group goes for as diverse a pop sound as the possibly can. It's a bit of a strange album for Roadrunner to be backing, normally known for their hard-rock/heavy metal. Listen to "Say Goodbye" and keep telling yourself that this is indeed a Roadrunner release. It's a dark track but gentle as a fall wind. It's nice to see both the label, as well as Sean Crahan reaching beyond their boundaries. Rick Rubin stepped in upon hearing one of the groups demos and when Rick signs on, you know that there is something going on. To My Surprise switches things up on every song, leaving us no chance to pigeonhole the band. One of my favorite tracks is "Blue", it's got a good swinging feel to it but at times a heavy guitar riff breaks out and gets the song out of the norm. "Turn It Back Around" is another interesting one. "Come With Me" is ready for prime-time. "Sunday" is just a slab of pure pop genius. I see To My Surprise as one of your local bands that everyone just adores, but on a much bigger scale. It may take an album or two for To My Surprise to catch on but there is charm here that can't be denied.

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