Adema - Unstable [2003]

October 25th, 2007

California five-piece cleans up its act in a doomed attempt to stay relevant
Reviewed by Jon Wiederhorn
Now that nü-metal is as fashionable as flannel, even former arena bands like Korn and Papa Roach are feeling the sales sting. So what does second-tier group Adema do to stay valid? They become more radio-friendly by turbo-boosting their melodies, and retain their tough exterior by writing about such angsty things as damaged relationships (“Unstable”) and drugs (“Needles”). The lunging, harmony-laden “Co-Dependent” shows promise, but most of the songs on Unstable, the band’s second album, are so labored over that they lack urgency. “Promises” echoes with out-of-place U2-style guitar chimes, and “So Fortunate” is a mess of ringing arpeggios and weepy violins. Frontman Marky Chavez says Adema worked long and hard on Unstable. If they had spent half as much time, it might have been twice as good.

Album Tracks Listing
[MP3 Direct Download]
Right Click and Save Target As…
1. Co-Dependent
2. Rip The Heart Out Of Me
3. Stand Up
4. Unstable
5. Promises
6. Blame Me
7. So Fortunate
8. Stressin’
9. Do You Hear Me
10. Let Go
11. Betray
12. Needles