Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




Cool Hand Luke
I Fought Against Myself...



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 13 tracks: 54 minutes, 19 seconds
Street Date: November 20, 2001


Cool Hand Luke is more than just a classic film starring Paul Newman. It's also three boys from Tennessee who have climbed the carcasses of indie rock's remains to stamp out a following any band would gladly trade for. It's not hardcore, nor is it emo. It's not pop or even rock. But the case seems to be each of these fine musical experiences rolled into one, and much more.

I Fought Against Myself, the band's debut full-length release, begins on an instrumental note by way of "Sowing & Reaping" with some piano here and a pinch of the chimes there. This is possibly one of the finest songs out as far as instrumentals go. "Destroying Transduction" shows us what we were missing without vocals all along. The writing ability of The Luke is simple yet utterly amazing. An example: "I guess it's true, what I've always heard. We make ourselves feel better with hurtful words. And more times than I even care to know. We hurt the ones we love the most. Forgiveness is what I'm looking for. But you don't owe me anything at all. It feels like I'm stabbing my own back." "10 or 40" paints a picture of riding in your car with the windows rolled down glorifying God. But when lyrics look to befall into cheesy pop, convictious vocals lead to what praising Jesus is all about. "Debating the Axiom" challenges abortion and thoroughly succeeds with haunting melody and heavy guitar and bass lines. "God forgave them but they won't forgive themselves." "Sideways" puts out a piano piece Elton John, himself, would take to the bank but a bass riff he would probably cash in; in lue of being too heavy for his likings. "Waiting For Another Hit" is, well, another hit through a colorful canvass of lyrical brush strokes heading to an amazing story. An acoustic hidden track ends the album nicely with more of those haunting vocals.

There's no hiding the angst in this album; but there's no hiding the hope in this album either. There is a 2001 feel of Jeremy Enigk and his Sunny Day Real Estate as well as Thursday and Zao. With less filler and more of the Luke I found to enjoy, this band will become one of my favorites. Cool Hand Luke brings the good qualities of punk, enough hardcore screams not to scare the kids (well, I'm probably wrong with that one), the melody of infectious anthems, and the lyrical hope of a brighter day. I look forward to the future.

- Review date: 1/11/02, written by Blake Garris



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 


. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: None
. Album length: 10 Tracks 58 minutes and 24seconds
. Street Date: 2001
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Sowing and Reaping
  2. Destroying Transduction
  3. 10 or 40
  4. Debating the Axiom
  5. Sideways
  6. The Numbing Agent
  7. On Being the Silent Spectator
  8. Waiting For Another Hit
  9. Target Form
  10. (Hidden Track)

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images