Betty by Helmet (CD, May-2005, Interscope Records USA)

Being a long time HELMET fan, i placed this CD into the tray of my stereo with the somewhat biased view that i would like it simply because it is a HELMET album. I had already heard a few of the songs on here through my research of the band and anticipated the day it arrived in the mail. After listening to it the entire way through a few times over, i believe i can finally put down a mildly unbiased review, based on each song individually. First however, i'd like to say that this is one of those records which need to be listened to multiple times to be appreciated fully.

-track1.wilma's rainbow: The opening track starts off cutting with complex feed back and muted harmonics and builds into a steady pounding riff. This is the HELMET we all know.
-track2.i know: This one's a slowly destructive song of harsh vocals/lyrics over even more harsh guitar. Grinds out into a solid minimalist performance. Great track.
-track3.biscuits for smut:This is where things start to get weird. Hamilton's vocals are watery and filtered through some sort of harmonic flanger effect. The guitar remains straight distortion, but that doesn't stop it from sounding oddly miscongruous to the liquidy vocals. Takes some time to get used to and is just a taste of what is to come.
-track4.milquetoast:Purely bass driven track, vocals are sang smooth, with a interesting solo and crushing outro. Straight awesomeness.
-track5.tic:Hard distortion, coupled with an inclusive combination of yelling vocals and smooth one's in the verse and chorus respectfully. Also includes one of Hamilton's most on topic solos and an outro filled with eerie sounds. Choice stuff.
-track6.rollo: A bit of smooth distortion with heavy bass. This one seems completely driven by the drums and rhythm. And the vocals are filtered through the flanger to the point of near incomprehension. Without lyrics i have no idea what he says.
-track7.street crab:Superb track. Enters with a soft bass riff then fades into the heavy rhythm HELMET is known for. Vocals are smooth.
-track8.clean: The guitars follow the drums...or vice versa. And the vocals are lightly flanged.
-track9.vaccination: Some of the most complicated rhythm patterns i have ever heard. Spectacular.Good heavy hitter with a neat little vocal break out bit stuck in the middle. And a sheerly volatile outro to boot.
-track10.beautiful love: Excellent reproduction of a jazz classic. Hamilton makes complete use of his master's degree in jazz guitar. Halfway through, it falls apart into noise metal and then slowly ends.
-track11.speechless: Very basic HELMET-esque riffage but with wonderful use of minor key vocals overlaying it. Wonderful.
-track12.the silver hawaiian: WTF. that is all.
-track13.overrated: A nice little slow down song about obesity. Never gets over a mid tempo. Still enjoyable to listen to. Next.
-track14.sam hell: An extremely interesting folkish song that combines priciples of folk AND metal. Lo-fi vocals rest behind the steely acoustic/reverberator equipped sound in the foreground. Genuinely fun. Just listen. Marvelous.

All in all, this one off the wall record for HELMET. Well worth owning, but be prepared to hear a few sounds you'll need to get used to.