Tenacious D: 'Rize Of The Fenix' Album Review

Summary: The D's finest album to date.

Listen To: 'Roadie'; 'Ballad of Hollywood Jack and the Rage Kage'; 'Throw Down'; '39'
Avoid: 'Low Hangin Fruit'
Get It: Here

Tenacious D definitely haven't got it easy this time around. Following a six-year hiatus and the astounding success of second album 'The Pick Of Destiny', the band's third studio attempt has to blow doors down if it is to stand up alongside its predecessors. And 'Rize Of The Fenix' manages to do just that.

The D haven't lost their way during their hiatus as this album clearly shows. It is the same blend of acoustic rock, mock-rock and metal as their previous endeavours. In fact, the band seem to be more focused on delivering their signature brand of mock-rock in any form possible.
This leads to 'Rise Of The Fenix' being one of the bands most eclectic albums. 'Señorita' is flamenco-styled; 'Deth Starr' is the D's signature brand of mock-rock; 'Ballad of Hollywood Jack and the Rage Kage' gives a medieval England vibe through the use of a flute; 'Throw Down' bares a striking and undeniable similarity to Iggy Pop's 'The Passenger' and '39' is an obvious attempt at a song in the style of Bruce Springsteen, evident in the way Black sings.

The only downfall of the album is that, despite some phenomenal instrumentation and the kind of lyrics we've come to expect from the D, it doesn't seem certain on where to go. Some songs hit the mark perfectly, whereas others either fail to go anywhere or go to too many places.
For example, album-opener and title track 'Rize Of The Fenix' bring a tear to the eye as the song transforms from an acoustic song with similarities to Dio's 'Holy Diver' to an explosive electric masterpiece. However they don't seem quite know where to stop as the track culminates in a mellow reprise-esque section that adds little to the track.

The album is everything a Tenacious D fan could ask for and the band should be praised for, after six years, producing an album of such high quality. It is possibly the bands finest album to date and shows that there is a lot of life left in the band yet. This is the Tenacious D we all know and have grown to love. The D are back in style.

8.5/10