Hero Monster Zero - Nice to Want

Hero Monster Zero

Nice to Want
self-released; 2014

3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Whenever someone talks about a group being a rock/rap hybrid my mind always goes to Linkin Park. The first studio album Nice to Want by Hero Monster Zero deviates from my assumptions by infusing southern bar room rock with Everlast style rapping. The band picks and chooses the songs they decide to rap on. Some songs are straight up rock while other are soaked in white boy style rapping.

The band consisting of Andy Metz (vocals, guitar), Chris Stell (guitar), Jesse Walk (bass guitar) and Ryan Birkett (drums) are in my opinion the strongest playing straight up rock songs that sound best while slamming a couple of beers. “She Got Me” is a prime example of the group playing into their strengths. The band brings a good dose of biker-approved rock that pretentious hipsters will shy away from because it has too much testosterone. 

The second song “Trying” is where they lose me a little bit. I actually preferred the loose rapping style to Everlast because Everlast mostly sounds like a poser who is trying too hard but this still made me cringe. “Stepping On Me” is the most radio ready single worthy song of the batch. It wasn’t one of my favorites of the six songs but would probably be the most appealing to a wide demographic. 

“Thief In The Night” was a highlight that revolves around a riff that is a few notes off from sounding like “My Sharona.” The band busts out some great licks here and Metz also delivers an exceptional performance. “One Thing “ is another tight rocker while the closing song “Forget You, Goodbye” is anthemic and grandiose.

Nice to Want has some missteps but also contains some solid songs. One thing perplexed me about the album. I was staring at their Bandcamp page looking at the album cover of Godzilla driving a low-rider while a huge mushroom cloud is about to envelope the surrounding city. I’m still trying to figure if that picture has any message I'm supposed to perceive. 

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