If it's time for another British band to steal the Billboard charts, then LostProphets is that band.
The members, who hale from Wales, England, have thick accents, but those who had trouble watching Guy Ritchie's Snatch need not worry; the accent is minimal when vocalist Ian Watkins is crooning.
If you heard the band a couple years back, you might remember their first album, The Fake Sound of Progress (Columbia), which had a youthful, nu-metal feel to it. The song "Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja" from that album managed to get some time on MTV, but always past primetime. At every opportunity, the band explained they were heavily rushed during the making of the album and were not given much time for pre-production.
This time around, the guys took their time creating their new album, Start Something (Columbia), and it shows. They have succeeded in making songs such as "Last Train Home" (the single that is in heavy rotation on most radio stations) and "Burn, Burn" solidify their destiny for commercial greatness. Despite this, the songs still appeal to the anti-pop crowd. Even those who cannot stand pop-rock will not be able to keep from nodding their heads to the catchy music.
Aside from commerciality, LostProphets creates genuinely well-written songs. The song "Hello Again," boasts the lyrics, "Hello again, it's not that hard/No dead ends, even with the scars." The words breed thoughts of a melancholy guy, leaning against a window staring out to the rain, longing for closure.
LostProphets has blended metal drums, rock vocals and guitars with a touch of an electronic element for spice. With that kind of mixture, they appeal to those who like punk, metal, emo, pop and rock.
They are the type of band radio adores. While right now they're just beginning to snatch up some airplay on MTV, it won't be long before they'll grace the cover of Rolling Stone.
Reach the reporter at chelsea.ide@asu.edu.
