Saturday, April 4, 1998

Watchmen excel best with subtle approach
By MIKE ROSS -- Express Writer
SILENT RADAR
The Watchmen
(EMI)

The Watchmen have always plowed straight down the middle of the alternative rock road. Nothing wrong with that, really.
But underneath the high-energy histrionics and generic walls of jangly guitars, there lurks both soul and subtlety - traits made even more apparent on the Winnipeg band's fourth album.
The band played it loose and free in the studio and it shows.
You'll still find songs that blend seamlessly into the modern rock wasteland but, generally speaking, the mellower the band gets, the better. The best comes last - Brighter Hell, with a spare, two chord arrangement and beautiful Rhodes piano, is like an anti-apocalypse song. The message is worthy - i.e., that the world's not about to end and you're vain to think it will in your lifetime. But it also has a chilling cautionary note, "so far, so free," as Daniel Greaves sings. It's the clear highlight of the album. As for the rockers, only one does it for me: Say Something, thanks mostly to the adventurous drum beat driving it along.
Much as I like the Watchmen in concert, on record, they tend to play it too safe. Silent Radar is definitely a step in the right direction.