"Oof, the fall couldn’t have been more fitting for a band like Trapt, which has slowly slipped into obscurity. This early-2000s post-grunge and radio rock group is desperately clinging to relevance with their new album, but it's clear that their efforts are falling short. Simply cramming 15 tracks onto a record doesn't guarantee more listeners; in fact, it only highlights one of the major issues with this album: the songs drag on endlessly. It’s as if each track stubbornly refuses to end, and just when you think it’s over, they stretch it out for another agonizing 30 seconds. Songs like 'Try It First,' 'Meant To Be,' and 'Drop Your Guard' suffer from this overindulgence.
The problem with making songs long isn’t just that they’re drawn-out—it’s that they’re also uninspired. The production on most tracks feels off, and the band lacks any real energy or drive. The entire album feels low-effort and poorly written, making it a tedious listen. With songs like 'Drop Your Guard,' 'Above It All,' and 'Ignorance Is Bliss,' you’re left with the distinct impression that this is a band going through the motions. It feels like a cheap attempt at radio-friendly tunes, but the weak song structures render them forgettable at best.
A few tracks, like 'Home' and 'Can’t Look Away,' manage to sound somewhat passable, but they’re the exceptions in an otherwise uninspired collection. The contrast becomes even more apparent when you listen to their re-recorded song 'Stories (Electric),' which shows a significant leap in quality. However, it’s clear that this is a song from their earlier days, written by a completely different group of people who had a real passion for the band. The one surviving member from that era seems to be struggling to keep the band's name afloat. His poor vocal performance and awkward singing styles on tracks like 'Think of You,' 'Halo,' and 'When I Get Better' only add to the album’s lackluster feel. Add to that his weak guitar playing, and it’s clear this is an abysmal effort.
The band he’s assembled doesn’t help matters much either. Outside of the drummer keeping a steady beat, the riffs are clumsy and disjointed, particularly on tracks like 'Drop Your Guard,' 'Bulletproof,' and 'Ignorance Is Bliss.' Even the gritty 'Bulletproof' sounds flat and uninspired. The bass work is barely noticeable, adding to the overall emptiness of the album. This downward spiral has been painful to witness, and this album is just further proof of how far they've fallen from their former glory."