Hurt – Goodbye to The Machine (2009)
Hurt can best be described as a band that is still finding their one true voice, which is what makes them so great. Most rock critics would be quick to dismiss them as a metal band that never made it, but they would fail to see the full spectrum of influences that are represented in Hurt’s music. With a mainstream sound smoothly blended with indie influence, hard rock guitars, and even a violin solo (or two), Hurt’s Goodbye to The Machine is nothing short of amazing.
Part Radiohead, part Black Stone Cherry, part Seether, with a touch of Saving Abel and a smattering of other influences, Hurt has combined all the best elements of these bands and turned them into their own stylistic sound. They mix country, metal, alternative, pop, and jazz into one hard rock beauty, Goodbye to The Machine.
Goodbye to The Machine opens with the heavy hitting “Got Jealous”, the hard rock tale of a jealous lover, drugged up and plotting his revenge. This is a haunting, dark and angry lead song that is a great introduction to the band. “Got Jealous” is an excellent track and an amazing opener that forces you to stay for the rest of the album.
Shaun Morgan from Seether stops by to provide guest vocals (alongside lead vocalist J. Loren Wince) on “World Ain’t Right”, which is a cool appearance, but unfortunately it’s a weak song. In time, this song may grow on me, but after a few listens, this is a ballad that lacks power. The message is there, and the music is pretty, just no punch.
“Dreams Away” fights hard for the title of best song on the record and wins. This is a song that should be smothering mainstream radio. A catchy, rocking tune that builds on an excellent guitar riff, contains exceptional lyrics, and has the proper elements of a great single. Wince’s vocals are sharp and invigorating and collaborate perfectly with Paul Spatola’s guitar work. “Dreams Away” is an incredible song that makes the entire disc worth the price of purchase.
Goodbye to The Machine really picks up in the second half. If the first half of this disc is a decent, solid recording, then the second half can only be described as a masterpiece. With “Well”, “Pills”, “Dreams Away”, and “Fighting Tao”, all competing alongside “Got Jealous” for best song on the disc, the second half truly rocks.
The real power of Goodbye to The Machine is the progressive changes contained in each song. From slow and melodic to hard and heavy, Goodbye to The Machine runs the gauntlet of musical tastes. Wince’s vocals are solid throughout the record and show a wide range of ability and talent. Spatola’s guitar playing is stellar and completes the album. The solos stand out and reveal the true talent that Spatola has. Hard rock guitar and drums, blended with acoustic intros and interludes, the occasional violin solo, and a voice that can sing to all of these instruments and more, Goodbye to The Machine may have to go into consideration for one of 2009’s best releases.
Bottom line? This is an album that you have to add to your collection. If you consider yourself a fan of hard rock music and are looking for the next great thing, pick up a copy of Hurt’s Goodbye to The Machine. It’s an excellent way to spend an hour of your day.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Got Jealous
- Pandora
- Wars
- World Ain’t Right (feat. Shaun Morgan of Seether)
- Sweet Delilah
- 1331
- Role Martyr X
- Well
- Pills
- Dreams Away
- Fighting Tao
- That (Such A Thing)
Hurt Is:
J. Loren Wince – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Paul Spatola – Lead Guitar
Rek Mohr – Bass Guitar
Louie Sciancalepore – Drums
