Here’s my review of Icon For Hire’s ‘Scripted’ – originally appeared at http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Icon_For_Hire/Scripted/117100/
Icon For Hire are a four piece punk combo from the Midwest whose debut album is already receiving much critical acclaim. With a female lead singer, the obvious acts they could be compared to would be Paramore, Evanescence and Avril Lavigne, but the electronic influence evident in some of their tracks is a definite nod to the likes of Linkin Park and others in the Nu-Metal mould.
What is most notable, and most commendable, about this album is the sheer force with which singer Ariel delivers her vocal. This is reflected in the guitar lines and it all combines to form a sound which packs more of a punch than pretty much anything else on the scene.
The only slight weak point is “Only A Memory” which just doesn’t seem to flow like the rest of the album, but really this is nitpicking in the extreme.
Lyrically there is a real honesty and originality here despite their punk-caricature image. Like so many bands, they straddle that fine line of credibility between an honest, edgy statement and an embarrassing copycat act. Only time will tell, but I’m fairly satisfied that Icon For Hire manage the former, and they manage it better than the vast majority of secular artists, let alone those in the Christian music scene.