CD Review
Artist:  Tokio Hotel
Album Title:  Scream
Label:  Universal Music Canada
Released:  March 19, 2008 

2 ½ Stars

Reviewed by: Darren Paul (Edmonton Correspondent - Canada) 

Releasing their English album in North America, this German alternative rock group lands between the sound of Our Lady Peace and The Moffats without the variety of either. The opening trio of songs leaves hopes for a strong album with a variety of sound, great energy, tight playing, and singing suited to the intents of the songs. Scream blazes with a heavy riff and more than pedestrian vocals. Ready, Set, Go! does just so right off the top and moves with an intensity that calls to action. Monsoon is the superior song on the album, pulling off the gas a little, featuring some subtle vocal harmonies and subtle production effects.

After Monsoon the album falls quickly as Monsoon's build into distortion is the last example of dynamics to be heard. The songs following beg the question "How many songs asking a girl to come back can be squashed on an album?" The lyrics are not particularly strong anywhere on the CD but from here in they are downright redundant. Once one's memorized the name of each song, they've memorized most of the lyrics too. The construction of each song is based around a single guitar riff and follows a chorus - verse - chorus - verse structure without fail. There is nothing memorable in the middle and back end of the album, and the songs become difficult to tell apart.

In most cases the guitar is well played but repetitive, the bass is entirely without innovation, and the drums do little beyond keep time. Bill Kaulitz' vocals are strong but don't strain from a five tone range. He does however perform well in both the whispered laments and the screamed anthems. It's a he doesn't have better lyrics to throw himself at. 

Still, the sound is pleasing. Any given song is honestly and well performed, even emotionally effective. The problem is, after the first three tunes, you're really listening to the same thing for another forty minutes. 

1. Scream - 3:17
2. Ready, Set, Go! - 3:34
3. Monsoon - 4:01
4. Love Is Dead - 3:40
5. Don't Jump- 4:09
6. On The Edge - 4:07
7. Sacred - 4:00
8. Break Away - 3:24
9. Rescue Me  - 3:49
10. Final Day - 3:14
11. Forgotten Children - 4:37
12. By Your Side - 4:28
13. 1000 Oceans - 4:04