Does rock 'n' roll have to have a soul? Should it? Millions of American kids in garage bands are knocking out the same crap they hear on the radio or on MTV as we speak. They aren't expressing they're inner-most thoughts or trying to cope with the alienation of their teenage years, they're trying to hit it big enough to retire at 23 and get a FOX TV reality show with a big-breasted blonde dimwit. Sounds like a plan, huh? Well, from where I sit on my big fat ass, rock 'n' roll, pop, rap, whatever, seems to be just a song waiting to become a commercial for fast food or cars. Without soul there is no rock 'n' roll - or is there?

And then there's Element Eighty, hmm... Where do I start? Well let's get the technical stuff over with: these guys are kick-ass musicians, they sound great, and they sound like all the hit bands that nu-metal has produced. Do I need to go on?

I actually feel bad for these guys because they might have been on the cutting edge of the nu-metal thing when they started the band, and by the time they got signed and all the lawyers got done with the contracts, it was almost over. Unfortunately, their self-titled album just came out (at least I just got it), so they missed the nu-metal gravy train (not much gravy on THAT train from what I can tell). So what's a band to do? The sound they chose to adopt has faded from the top of the pops and unless they can come up with something fast, all the screaming in the world isn't going to sell those CDs.

So back to my original question: does rock 'n' roll have to have soul? The answer clearly is no. Element Eighty and all the bands that chose the nu-metal path failed to notice that the sound they were making was more machine a la Eraser Head (the film, You Geeks) than human. The vocals, processed and Eq'd beyond recognition, are also so closely intertwined with machines and electronics and digital technology that they don't even remotely resemble a human voice.

Before you accuse me of being anti-technology etc., let me say that I have no problem with music/digital technology, but when it dominates the production to the point of obscuring the humanity of the band, I object. Objection your honor!

Technology has no soul. Technology forces the band to rise above the technology to give the song, the band, the sound, a soul. Soul is what connects to the audience, and soul is what keeps me listening to a song for more than a minute.

Element Eighty is in a bad spot. I feel bad for them, I really do. Memo to band: Dudes, the music biz ain't what it used to be. For up-and-coming bands the money is so-so, the hours are long, the tours are nasty, and the food sucks. Even tour sex is bad - too dangerous and likely to end up on the internet if the bangee happens to be an infamous hotel heiress who shall remain nameless, but whose name rhymes with careless (sort of).

So, in conclusion, if you just woke up from a coma and you really dig the new sounds of POD, Linkin Park, and Limp Bizkit, you'll love Element Eighty. If you're like me - looking for a band to tap into your soul with a little soul of their own - then keep looking.

www.elementeighty.com