Filter

Filter seems to have mastered the delicate balance between the soft industrial sound of their first album, Short Bus, and the huge commercial success of their sophomore effort, Title of Record. And this combination can be heard on their third outing, The Amalgamut. Leadoff track "You Walk Away" features vocalist Richard Patrick's distinct talent for memorable choruses (think "Hey Man, Nice Shot"), while the inevitable ballad appears in "The Missing." Filter continues to choose the abstract and nonsensical lyrical style but the lyrics play a small role on the disc. The record is more about the brilliant, big sound of the layered drums and distorted, abusive guitar. For a sound and playing style that began as a flattering tribute to bands like Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction, Filter has moulded it into one that is almost their own.