Artist: Nural
Album: Weight of the World
Label: Hopeless
Tracks: 12
Length: 43:00
Review by: John Durkee

Nural may in some reviews be explained to be punk or emo of some kind, but in reality Nural is an average and very marketable nu-rock band. Unlike most of these Xtreme radio bands though, Nural utilizes guitar solos and a more high energy sound (thus the punk comparisons). Evident on Weight of the World is its hopeful lyrics that are, for the most part, centered on Christian themes, which is ironic seeing as Nural is signed to Hopeless Records.

Easily the most enjoyable song on the album is its opener, “Tension,” with Weight of the World's catchiest melody and biggest overall sound. The big sound continues through most of the album, aside from the ballads that tend to drag. The ballads are the biggest downer on Weight of the World, as it slows the whole album down. Another big disappointment of the album is its lack of originality and tendency to blend together. Although there are a few decent songs, there are also some rather dreadful. An example would be “Lukewarm,” while being scripturally sound in lyrical theme; it ventures into a pseudo rap/rock sound at times. Perhaps if it were released when Limp Bizkit was still considered cool, it would be less embarrassing. Such tracks are a frustration since its obvious Nural could make a fun and enjoyable rock album. This sort of thing happens throughout the album as Nural tries to please too many people and mix too many styles. Nural ends up making a muddled rock album that isn’t rock enough for anyone except your maybe your younger sister (though maybe that’s who they’re aiming at).

Nural has a style of rock that could easily make it on the radio with it’s marketable sound, and would likely be popular among youth groups and high school girls. It has better moments that redeem the embarrassing, but it’s doubtful that Nural will strip the bad out, and continue the good. In the mean time Nural will be a Junior/High School bands.