“Your number is one, your mind decided, your number is one, you are undivided…”
Without MTV and generally speaking, any media support and striking favorites such as “Low Self Opinion” and “Liar”, the last two albums – at least, up to date – of Rollins made no impression outside his fan base. It’s quite unfair, the 2000’s “Get Some Go Again” and the follow-up “Nice” released next year was two quality Post-Hardcore/Modern Rock albums. Released exactly ten years ago, on 21th August 2001, “Nice” perhaps it isn’t the best Rollins Band album, but it’s a… nice one. And still, I can’t figure out what the f*ck best means?! Harder, faster, bigger, stronger, louder? Whatever!
And actually good songs were plenty on it, just to mention a few: “Up for It”, “Your Number Is One”, “I Want So Much More”, “Hangin’ Around”, “Going Out Strange”, “Let That Devil Out”, etc
After touring for “Come In And Burn” in 1997, Rollins dissolved the band’s “classic” lineup including guitarist Chris Haskett, bass player Melvin Gibbs and drummer Sim Cain citing creative stagnation. Shortly after, Rollins replaced the Haskett-Gibbs-Cain lineup with the Los Angeles rock band Mother Superior consisting of guitarist/vocalist Jim Wilson, bassist Marcus Blake and drummer Matt Tecu, retaining the name Rollins Band.
The new formula of Rollins Band delivered a more straight, classic Hard Rock sound-like approach, but the strength of Rollins, the hardcore roots remains as a solid foundation.
“Nice” have some exciting Blues and Jazz inserts, it might not be brain surgery, but it’s “only Rock’n’Roll” and we’re like it, Rollins and his band mates delivered a breathing, alive, groovy Rock album in its purest and most honest sense. Less dark, maybe technically less complicated than the Haskett-Gibbs-Cain era albums, still, “Nice” is an exciting, colorful, but pumping Rock material.
Today probably “Nice” would be labeled Post-Hardcore and Alternative Metal and considered revolutionary… Rollins deed a lot of pioneering jobs and dig a hole for others to break through.
Recorded at Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, California, engineered by Clif Norrell and produced by Henry Rollins, the band was made of: Henry Rollins – vocals, Jim Wilson – guitar, Marcus Blake – bass, Jason Mackenroth – drums, saxophone and Clif Norrell – trumpet.
Track list:
01. “One Shot” – 3:03
02. “Up for It” – 4:39
03. “Gone Inside the Zero” – 2:39
04. “Hello” – 3:04
05. “What’s the Matter Man” – 2:58
06. “Your Number Is One” – 4:27
07. “Stop Look and Listen” – 1:48
08. “I Want So Much More” – 3:42
09. “Hangin’ Around” – 5:25
10. “Going Out Strange” – 4:51
11. “We Walk Alone” – 3:59
12. “Let That Devil Out” – 4:21
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKj7Wuy5QHU&w=500&h=305]
In 2006 Rollins also reunited the Haskett-Gibbs-Cain lineup and played some gigs around, but no further plans are revealed.
Just think of this:
“The chaos that surrounds you
the facts that astound you
at last your number has found you
your number is one
I’m looking high
I’m looking low
I want to know therefore I go
your number is one
see them pull into the slow lane
the no go lane
watch them take the poison that drives them all insane
your number is one
your number is one
your mind decided
your number is one
you are undivided
for you there is but one direction
your number is one
I am looking high
I’m looking low
I want to know therefore I go
your number is one
I am looking high
I’m looking low
I want to know therefore I go
your number is one
that number is one
one
one
the only one
that number is one
one
one
the only one
keep yourself intact
keep yourself at the top of the stack
when you get to all the other stacks
take the stack down off the rack
your number is one
your mind has decided
your number is one
you are undivided
for you there is but one direction
your number is one
I’m looking high
I’m looking low
I want to know therefore I go
your number is one
I’m looking high
I’m looking low
I want to know therefore I go
your number is one
that number is one
one
one
the only one”
P.S. And well, I make a kind of exception and I mix here something from my stuffs as well, so, this one is dedicated to Henry:
I love you man, you were my hero, I wouldn’t had the guts to took the microphone without listening “Low Self Opinion” and all the other great songs. Thanks!
