Unloco – Becoming I

Release Date: March 18, 2003
Reviewed by Vin Cherubino

Texas powerhouse Unloco delivers more of the same with their new album Becoming I, despite claims of it being a revelation. The album seems bland at some points, lacking the energy needed to drive the act. The first single “Failure” brings together a good slow acoustical mix followed by an uninspired chorus. In fact, most of the album follows the same soft one part/heavy another format.

The album doesn’t seem like it was mixed 100% perfect, despite having mega-producer Mudrock (Godsmack, Powerman 5000) running the show. The songs are very personal, each about the same thing; the dilemma of an unpleasant relationship. In some ways it becomes rather repetitive. The repetition of the same theme over and over makes the album seem like it’s dragging on at points, putting you at the mercy of fast forward. If the songs had some kind of variety, it could have been much more enjoyable to listen to. Still, there’s enough metal substance to provide a good quality head bang.

Lead singer Joey Duenas is the draw of the band through his screams and impressive singing, which makes the band a standard nu-metal act without him. Everything on the album does seem too standard though, with nothing particularly exceptional standing out. The album lacks in originality just like the album before it. Although standard, there is still something about Unloco that draws you in to listen, almost like a subconscious force that takes you over.

If you liked Unloco before, you’ll like them again, but this CD will not draw new fans in like it was intended to.