Mushroomhead is one of those band names that is just riddled with controversy, mostly due to the fact of their stage pressence, utilizing masks and corresponding outfits. Since forming, and despite the arguments that are now fading greatly through knowledge on both sides, the band has gone through plenty of changes, but none so dramatic as the loss of their second vocalist, J Mann, prior to the release of Savior Sorrow. The group's seventh full-length effort, Beautiful Stories for Ugly children, finds the band utilizing one vocalist, and once again altering their sound somewhat in a manner that nicely accomodates this factor for the now eight-piece act.
Right away, the atmosphere of the album is pretty obvious, leaning more towards a sound that is reminiscent of some of today's Alternative bands, but still retaining that unique Mushroomhead sound, and still keeping enough of an edge to keep them in the eyes of their loyal fanbased, Metal or not, while still having plenty of throwbacks to their older sound that cast them into the spotlight, such as the track "Inspiration", which shows some inspiration (pun intended) from the band's contribution to the Freddy Vs. Jason Movie Soundtrack, "Sun Doesn't Rise", but features different and great atmosphere brought on by the keyboards, as well as the vocal effect utilized during the end of the chorus, leaving the main draw of "Sun Doesn't Rise" mostly to the progression of the music and the overall atmosphere of the song, which sadly isn't really utilized through the entire album, but has always been a centerpiece for the band.
The first song that kicks off this track is "Come On", and, while it's a powerful fight anthem that one would expect to hear on any local Hard Rock radio station with the proper musical approach to work that retains the same kick the vocals and lyrics contain, it sounds a little more lighter in atmosphere then other tracks on here, which is generally a feeling of dismay. "I'll Be Here" is a much slower track that captures this atmosphere, but sometimes seems to be confused. While the song can play on the listeners emotions nicely, the dismal feeling on this track seems to compete with a Southern Rock approach, which works out nicely when it's meshed together, which doesn't happen at the start of the song since it kicks off with that Southern Rock with a Blues feeling that simply cannot relay the atmosphere that appear later in the song. This track does, however, nicely incorporate the harsher vocals of the second vocalist that was incorporated on the last album, and doesn't quite feel as forced into the song, or simply random, as it can sometimes. It also introduces a child's voice that the band uses for ambience through the song, sometimes altering the pitch of it. This child also seems to start off the next track, "Burn the Bridge", which a short beatbox moment. "The Harm You Do" also features this kind of Southern musical approach, and does it right, incorporating a bleak atmosphere with music that makes you think you're about to be put into some kind of modern day shootout. Of course, these aren't the only slower, embience driven tracks.
Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children basically starts off easy enough on the listener, with some slower songs thrown in throughout, but once you hit the track "Burn the Bridge", the attitude abruptly introduces the more Alternative Rock sound, to an Alternative Metal sound, or Mallcore for those who prefer that term, as well as produces more of the aforementioned slower tracks. These harder tracks also feature more of the second vocalist, as well as has a more fluid and natural appearance in the songs compared to some of the earlier tracks, like "Slaughterhouse Road" with it's short and rather ranomly placed shouting vocals. "Darker Days" also makes for one of the more enjoyable harder tracks, as it utilizes the keyboards in a manner that seems almost opposite of the tone the band is trying to perform, but due to this, the keyboards just add a nice little kick to the song that, had they been focused on simply trying to produce one specific atmosphere, would not have made the song stand out as much as it does. "Harvest the Garden" is another great hard hitting song, but this one is slightly unique due to the track bleeding into the next slower track, "The Harm You Do". The only thing that feels off about this release is the song "Do I Know You?" which, while having the proper atmosphere, comes off more as something you would hear from Stone Sour, but with the signature Mushroomhead sound that winds up messing with your head.
Overall, Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children stumbles a few times, but is an impressive album that has something for everyone. Mushroomhead does a nice job weening you into the darker, more twisted side of the release, though "Come On" could have benefitted from having the same atmosphere the rest of the album has. If you've enjoyed the progress the band has made lately, then you'll certainly enjoy Beautiful Stories for Ugly children. Even if you're not a fan, there's some solid material on here that will lead to plenty of repeat spins. From dark and Ambient, to Hard Rock radio worthy, to heavy and intimidating, leading to one of the band's most unique, and varied, releases to date.
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