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JFH Music Review




Beanbag
welladjusted



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 37 minutes, 1 second
Street Date: March 27, 2001


It's every once in a great while when a band's sophomore effort contains such more-polished, more emotional, deeper material that make your jaw drop. This is the case for the majority of Australian rockers Beanbag's second release, welladjusted. Half of the album serves up a fresh new feel and approach for the group, while the other half caters more to the fans of the 1999 debut effort, free signal.

When I first tossed welladjusted into my player, I was greeted immediately with the strums of an acoustic guitar. But it wasn't long before "Limit of Shunt" picked up with heavier, more delicate electics. Hunz' vocals are deeper, more emotional. It sounds like a completely different band. In a way, it is. Although the members are the same, the band's goal has shifted with this release. Attempting (and often succeeding) to create different music not as easily comparable to other artists as that on free signal, Beanbag ups the emotional level and directs its lyrics more towards the non-Christian listener. "Our intention for this album is to be very personal," the band states, "with an emphasis on communicating to people who are outside of a relationship with Christ, on the so-called 'fringe.'"

Beanbag reminds fans who they are with "Chubb," a groove-laced intro sets the mood for a showcase for Hunz' rap vocals. Although effective, his raps aren't as intriguing as his more melodic, passionate vocals. The song immediately switches gears to a hyper guitar riff that displaces the groove momentarily before returning to it. "Ill Minded" kicks off with a crunchy guitar riff reminiscent that of a Project 86 tune, before blending Hunz' raps and more melodic vocals throughout the song. "Slipstream" and "These Stains" are melodic, passionate tracks that dig deeper than many previous Beanbag songs. Hunz' melodies are at their best, and the guitar lines often venture into a more thoughtful, almost dream-like glide. "Army of Me" is a Bjork cover which is a simple, yet intriguing track which features an unusual and irresistable drum beat with a metallic clang supported by a thumping bass. Beanbag's version greatly surpasses that of Bjork's approach for a much more intense and appealing result.

The remainder of the album contains more traditional-sounding Beanbag tunes, with a slight twist in some spots. "Dynamie Lifter" is a little more complex as it changes directions several times before fading out to close the album. Welladjusted will be the sleeper hit of the spring and if you didn't care for free signal or if you're an avid fan of the Aussies, this album should no be missed. Emotional, personal, and sometimes delicate, Beanbag may just surprise you.

- Review date: 2/11/01, written by John DiBiase



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CD

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. Record Label: Inpop Records
. Album length: 10 tracks, 37 minutes and 1 second
. Street Date: March 27, 2001
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Limit of Shunt
  2. Chubb
  3. Ill Minded
  4. Slipstream
  5. These Stains
  6. Army of Me
  7. Angst By Numbers
  8. There is More
  9. Resistor
  10. Dynamie Lifter
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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