Kiefer Sutherland
Down In A Hole
Warner Bros
If you were wondering what came of Jack Bauer after he finished dismantling terrorist threats for six consecutive days on the critically acclaimed 24, the answer is not what youβd expect. The all-American terror antagonist decided to record a country album (well, maybe that is what youβd expect). Kiefer Sutherlandβs fittingly titled Down In A Hole is an unsurprising batch of 11 country ballads, which mumble about the same problems over and over. Considering his Canadian origins, Sutherlandβs Americana country rodeo feels unfitting; but then again, any genre of music might feel the same for him. While Sutherlandβs vocals are arguably suitable for country, you canβt help but wonder what other elements he has possibly contributed to the project. If youβre guessing the lyrics, though, then youβre probably right.
Generic country guitar arrangements are covered in Sutherlandβs surprisingly deep, gritty vocals but are oversaturated in his daft words β choices so laughably generic that itβs almost as if they were stolen from another popular country artistβs garbage pail. If you ever wondered what kind of creations may arise from the collision of Kiefer Sutherland and lyricism, feast your eyes upon the wonderfully bad showmanship on βTruth In Your Eyesβ when he confidently sings, βThis house is too big and empty, since you been gone, I never though that youβd leave me, now I know I was wrongβ¦Now I need to say I love you, in the words of this song.β Or how about on the lead single, ironically titled, βNot Enough Whiskey,β where the line, βThereβs not enough whiskey in the world tonightβ begs the question, βthen what made you think making music was a good idea?β
As the album goes on, variation is attempted when Sutherland digs deeper in his throat and the guitars and drums follow him. It sounds like what I imagine the opening credits of Sons of Anarchy might be. Thereβs consistent imagery throughout the album of a burly man riding a motorcycle, or a hose filling up a kiddy pool in front of a trailer park, or the sludgy, grimy stage of an asbestos-infested music venue. Even when the guitar shreds are impressive, like they are in the title track βDown In A Holeβ (which Iβm not entirely sure isnβt a metaphor for female genitalia), they never exceed the low level of sell-out country music they were intended to be. No track gets as desperate as βMy Best Friendβ does, though, when Sutherland bellows, βIβll find a way, to make me, my best friend.β A simple βyikesβ encapsulates what Iβm trying to convey here.
If youβre a fan of country music, though, you may find redeeming qualities in Sutherlandβs tales of self-exploration, even if he merely scratches the surface of existence in the entire ocean of humanity. We canβt expect all music to be mature, I suppose. Down In A Hole definitely belongs where its name suggests (I mean in the garbage, not the innuendo mentioned earlier) but itβs not unlistenable if you are a fan of the genre. As for this critic, βthereβs not enough whiskey in the world tonight,β Mr. Sutherland.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KIEFER SUTHERLAND – DOWN IN A HOLE
Robert Defina
