When I first heard the song “Wasteland”, I thought that it was a new TOOL/PERFECT CIRCLE song that I wasn’t aware of, and that Manyard had changed his style up a bit. Only to figure out that it was the band, 10 years. From Knoxville Tennessee comes the band 10 years, whose debut CD, ‘The Autumn Effect’ was released on Republic/Universal Records. The band is Jesse Hasek on vocals, Brian Vodinh on drums/ backing vocals and two guitarists, Ryan ”Tater” Johnson and Matt Wantland, with Lewis Cosby playing bass. What if RADIOHEAD dropped the piano for guitar and was produced by Trent Reznor, with Manyard J Keenan on vocals? Can a band be both melodic and heavy at the same time? Could 10 years start up where the missing DEFTONES left off? What if you were into newer alt bands like INCUBUS and CHEVELLE? What if the CD was really produced by Josh Abraham (STAIND,VELVET REVOLVER)? Sure they have that STAIND sound on some songs and sure they opened for VELVET REOVLER, but this band is all about the singer and the lyrics he’s preaching across to his congregation. Hell they even thank a spiritual advisor in the liner notes. Yes Jesse can sing. Whether he’s quietly singing or frantically screaming, it’s the long drawn out phrasing of his heartfelt lyrics that get his points across. The songs contain hypnotic melodies and unusual choruses over chunky rhytms. These are not your everyday verse chorus pop songs. The CD opens with a long intro then asks, “Are you there? Can you hear me?” on the song “Waking Up”. “The Recipe” is an energized number about the growth and decay of our falling society. Of course there is the single that started it all in “Wasteland”. These lyrics try really hard to get their message through and almost overpower the music that backs them. The song “Prey” is melodic metal with an alternative edge and is basically about keeping up with the Joneses. The highlight for me is “Seasons To Cycle”, with it’s acoustic opening and string arrangements that were written, arranged and recorded by Jimbo Barton (STONESOUR) and JJ Farris (RED37). Finally the title track, “The Autumn Effect” closes out the CD with its slight of hand religious overtones. So give 10 years a listen and see if you can connect with this emotional voice of a new generation, it may sound like someone else you like or it may turn you on to something new. It’s your call.