Plumb – Chaotic Resolve

Amy Lee’s New Favorite Record

Chaotic Resolve shows Plumb’s originality and her massive talent as a singer, while unfortunately revealing her formulaic approach to songwriting. She is also the clear pioneer of an entire genre of female emo singers.For instance, take Evanescence, who obviously cloned their entire style from Plumb. If you happen to like Evanescence and have not heard this record, it is absolutely essential that you pick it up because Amy Lee, who has cited Plumb as an influence, tries but fails at doing what Plumb originated. What comes to mind when one thinks of Evanescence is a powerful female vocalist, a drum machine, infrequent record scratches, the occasional orchestra and layers of heavily distorted choral guitars for a fairly different and intriguing sound. The only problem is that Plumb has been doing just that since 1997! Plumb is backed by a talented group of musicians with well-developed tone, however her songs tend to be glaringly formulaic. Most of Plumb’s tracks are fairly depressing, such as “Manic,” “I Have Nothing,” and “I Can’t Do This,” and the entire record fuses together to form one long, depressing experience.

Plumb’s style is definitely an acquired taste with a lot of depressed, female teenager baggage. On Plumb’s website one can find resources for self help with cutting and mental illnesses of other sorts. There is even a track on Chaotic Resolve entitled “Cut.” Unexpectedly, there is a religious undercurrent to Plumb’s music that gives it a glimmer of hope that Evanescence seems to have missed. On “I Can’t Do This,” Plumb says “Oh God I need your help.”

Plumb is a talented singer and if you too are a recovering victim of extreme depression who is turning to God for help, Chaotic Resolve might really help you out. However, her music is exceptionally difficult to listen to if you do not share her outlook.