Scratch your formulaic expectations about Pillar’s latest release, The Reckoning. Pillar has taken an abrupt turn from its last album, Where Do We Go From Here,
going for a sound that is harder, edgier, and throws a twist into the
mix with a pop song and a country song. Lead singer Rob Beckley
explains things this way, “We’re concerned with what our fans think of
us, and we don’t want to let them down, but at the same time we know
that in order to grow you can’t stay stagnant.” While this growth may
lose Pillar a few fans, it’s sure to gain them many more, as The Reckoning’s sound is being compared to Tool, Rage Against the Machine, and AC/DC.
The album’s first single, “Everything,” opens
the album with a powerful message, strong guitar hooks, and a steady
rock beat. It isn’t until the third song, “When Tomorrow Comes,” that
more than a glimpse of Pillar’s old self comes shining through. The
next two songs tip back to the new sound with searing vocals.
My favorite song on the album was “Last
Goodbye,” reminiscent of the previous album’s “Simply Love.” The story
behind the song tells of Beckley’s friend, who lost two sons in almost
simultaneous car accidents, and the lyrics warn us to express love
before it’s too late.
The hat tip to country music, “Angel in
Disguise,” and a brief musical interlude continue the somber tone,
which is broken by the screaming vocals of “Crossfire.” The next song,
“Resolution,” strikes a perfect balance between Pillar’s old and new
styles. A pop/rock blend, “Sometimes” adds a bit of fun to the
primarily serious album, and the following song brings a slow tempo
with a message of contentment. The final song gives The Reckoning a haunting end with the realities of empty pursuit.
Even after seven No. 1 radio singles and
eleven Top 5 hits, Pillar isn’t resting on its laurels. “It’s way too
convenient nowadays to record music,” Beckley says. “It used to be if
you wanted to do it you had to really work at it. You had to be
obligated and committed to it . . . I think that’s why this record is
so cool to us – because there’s so much passion in it, because we worked at it.”
That diligence paid off with a forceful album that will leave hard rock aficionados eager for more.
Copyright Katie Hart. All rights reserved.
