Hed Pe Back 2 Base X Views

General Goods

My last time listening to (hed) P.E. was back in January 2005, when I took a stab at their last album, Only in Amerka. That was my first experience with the band, and I did not find it to be a terribly favorable one. I was criticized by fans for my views, some rightly so, others not. In any case, my experience and subsequent review of that album did not endear me to fans, just as the album did not endear the band to me. So here we are, a year and a half later, I have in my hands an advance copy of their latest release, Back 2 Base X, their first for their new label, Suburban Noize.

Granted, I was not sure that I should even go near this disc, considering the disastrous results I had the first time. But, on the flipside, I was intrigued by the idea of revisiting a band that I had previously panned, to see if they were bringing anything new to the table to potentially win me back. After taking a few passes through Back 2 Base X, I can report that while they may not have won me over as a fulltime fan, they have crafted an album that has a lot of good grooves and a healthy dose of originality. This is a good album, one that will find its way to my playlist a lot faster than the last album.

Linkin Park have some good groves, riffs etc. I think they are talented band, but I agree with Chris, they sound far too studioish. I just recieved an advance copy of 'Back To Base X'...oh my god, this has completely wiped the past 2 albums off the map...(Hed)pe are back, the sound is so raw and the grooves and riffs are so experimental. I travelled down to London from Scotland to see them in March or something, the live show was absolutely outstanding. To answer you question Chris, they were orginally called 'Hed' but this caused obvious problems so they added the extra Pe and put brackets around Hed. Their name has changed for various albums and promotions from simple things like. HED p.e (Hed)pe from having an upside down e etc. I suggest if these guys pass by and throw a show in your area you attend!

I agree with the last comment. Hed's first two albums are alot better than their last two. I dont think anyone can make a proper judgment on (hed) pe until they hear broke/hed pe. Personally, i would steer clear of blackout, as it seems like an attempt at the mainstream. (Other than the title track which rocks!). As for linkin park, i agree that they are overproduced, but i am still a fan. And i must say, when playing live, they manage to capture this sound perfectly, no matter how pverproduced it may be. Thank god for the DJ. They sound just like their records live. Yes, they are manufactured, but so are alot of succesful bands, and i think that without linkin park, we wouldnt have had the Nu-Metal wave, which has bought us alot of good bands. Hed Pe's 'Back 2 base X' is out today. Im off to buy it! I would strongly recommend Hed to anyone.