Burn The Negative - How To Weigh The Human Soul

‘How To Weigh The Human Soul’ is the second release from Burn The Negative, formed in 2008. Opener ‘Always The Way’ begins like a light version of Nine Inch Nails, with heavy synths and a low growl from the vocalist. Burn The Negative seem to combine an odd collection of influences that don’t necessarily work together. There doesn’t appear to be much substance to the songs and it doesn’t seem likely that these songs were created to be simply background music, but it’s easy to forget that you’re listening to them. At times, it’s like listening to Hard-Fi collaborating with Gary Numan.

It’s a discouraging record to listen to. The lyrics are repeated to the point that you’ll never forget them, and the melodies are so radio friendly that you know what they are before they’re played. Despite the several apparent influences, there’s little variety to the songs. ‘Insert Replace’ comes across as a Mighty Boosh song with mentions of a “coconut touch”. You’re never quite sure what this is, and it’s probably best you never find out.

The most frustrating thing about ‘How To Weigh The Human Soul’ is that there are some genuinely good moments, but these are so few and far between that getting frustrated seems to come with the territory. The sound is never particularly focused and the influences too vast - if the band could hone their sound and style in on a specific genre it may make for a more enjoyable listen. It’s one thing to be influenced by several styles of music, but it’s another to try and smatter these incompatible styles together.