Hollywood Undead
Desperate Measures

Campus Correspondent Review By Jennifer Brown, Boston University

Hollywood Undead's Desperate Measures (A&M) is a two-disc CD/DVD composed of six studio recordings (produced by Nine Inch Nails' Danny Lohner), six live recordings and a 60-minute in-concert DVD. The track list includes three covers and nine original songs, marking the band's second release since last year's Swan Songs.

The group’s music forms its own genre of hip-hop/rap/metal, emulating Eminem's style of "my life is so rough" type of lyricism. The included DVD proves the band has a loyal following of a diverse, young crowd that worships the group's interactive live performances. As seen on the album cover, the band members wear masks and present themselves as American rebels, which translates into the critical perspectives they take in their music.

The melodies and lyrics on Desperate Measures are basic. A few of the band members, as seen on their DVD, merely rap the whole time and don't contribute instrumentally. If the band's lyrics were deeper, perhaps this wouldn't matter, but the lyrics are dull and boorish, with vulgar references every few lines, especially "Everywhere I Go." In general, although Hollywood Undead's attempt to be different is laudable, the band lacks creative musical flair.

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