Review by Jack on August 19, 2003.

The cover of "Numb," the latest album from Linea 77, put some odd preconceptions into my head. Two bubble headed fellows that look as though they belong in a 7am cartoon meant for kids before they head off to school transposed onto a perfectly white background doesn't do wonders for me.

However, that being said the music of "Numb" is pretty decent and runs a fine gamut of distinctively Latin flavoured indigenous music (vocals contributing heavily to this feature), hardcore, thick guitar melodies, punk rock, splices of hip-hop and quirky samples. Very experimental and very 'odd,' "Numb" is not a record that will grab you by the nuts and haul you in straight away. For the more seasoned metalheads amongst us, this material is very mainstream sounding, and quite an acquired taste. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't like it much to begin with. I just haven't been exposed to too much material like this before. However, after a few solid days of listening I really started to get into the fresh Latin grooves.

Normally I wouldn't give this sort of genre the time of day. That in itself says that Linea 77 differ from the greedy packs nipping at their heels. "Numb" is a record full of diversity and enough oddities and kookiness to make it worth checking out if you are in need of a quick shot of adrenaline.

Bottom Line: A decisively Mediterranean feel mixed with some thumping hardcore with authoritative melody makes for a pretty spiffy combination in my books, and "Numb" is no exception. Linea 77 should be pretty chuffed with their output.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Production: 8
Originality: 7.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.4 out of 10