Artist: Feeder Album: Polythene

Year: 1997
Duration: 50:57

Polythene: A Critical Review of Feeder's Debut Album

Feeder, a Welsh rock band, gained popularity in the late 90s with their debut album Polythene. At the time of its release, the genre of post-grunge was at its peak, and Feeder managed to carve out their own niche within the crowded soundscape. The album was a commercial and critical success, and it helped pave the way for the band's continued success in the future. In this blog post, we'll be doing a deep dive into the album Polythene, exploring the history of the band, the genre of the album, the best songs, the most innovative parts, and also a fair critique of the album.

Feeder was formed in 1994 in Newport, Wales, by the lead vocalist and guitarist Grant Nicholas and the drummer Jon Lee. The band's initial sound was heavily influenced by grunge, punk and metal music. However, later on, they started to experiment with more melodic and radio-friendly sounds which helped them gain mainstream success. Polythene was their debut album, released in 1997. The album was a blend of various genres such as post-grunge, alternative rock, and nu-metal.

The album opens with the track Polythene Girl, which instantly grabs the listener's attention with its heavy and crunchy guitar riffs. The song sets the tone for the album, and the band's signature sound becomes immediately apparent. Other notable tracks on the album include Day in Day Out, Waterfall, Tangerine, and Stereo World. These songs showcase the band's versatility and how they can switch from a hard-hitting rock sound to a more melodic one seamlessly.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is how Feeder manages to incorporate various instruments into their music, such as drum machines, keyboards, and samplers. These elements, along with the band's intricate guitar work, helps to create a unique sound that sets them apart from their peers. The album's production is also notable, and the mixing of the tracks is done exceptionally well.

While Polythene was critically acclaimed upon its release, some critics argue that it lacks cohesion and that some songs on the album sound too similar. While it's true that the album has its faults, it's still a great debut that showcases the band's potential.

Polythene, Feeder's debut album, still stands as a testament to the band's longevity and the impact they've had on the music scene. The album's blend of post-grunge, alternative rock, and nu-metal, along with the band's ability to switch between different styles, makes it a unique listening experience. While it's not a perfect album, it's undoubtedly a strong debut from one of the most influential bands of their time.