Save Me from Myself (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Save Me from Myself
Type = studio
Artist = Brian Head Welch


Released = Start date|2008|9|9
Recorded = 2005–2007 at Fortitude Studios in Phoenix, Arizona
Genre = Rock
Length = 64:17
Label = Driven, Warner, Rykodisc
Producer = Brian Welch, Steve Delaportas
Reviews =
*About.com Rating|3.5|5 [http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/brianwelchsave.htm link]
*"Christianity Today" Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2008/savemefrommyself.html link]
*Jesus Freak Hideout Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/SaveMeFromMyself.asp link]
Last album =

This album = "Save Me from Myself"
(2008)
Next album =

Misc = Singles
Name = Save Me from Myself
Type = studio
Single 1 = Flush
Single 1 date = July 8, 2008

"Save Me from Myself" is the debut studio album by American rock musician Brian Head Welch. After failing to meet a July 2007 release,cite web|title=Former KORN Guitarist BRIAN' HEAD' WELCH: Solo Album Details Revealed|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=69703 Blabbermouth.net|date=2007-04-01|accessdate=2008-08-22|publisher = Blabbermouth ] the album was released on September 9, 2008 by Driven Music Group.cite web|title=Ex-KORN Guitarist BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH: Another New Sample Posted Online|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=103156 Blabbermouth.net|date=2008-08-19|accessdate=2008-08-22|publisher = Blabbermouth ] Tentatively, the album's working title was "It's Time to See Religion Die",cite web|title=Ex-KORN Guitarist HEAD: 'It's Time To See Religion Die|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=53328 Blabbermouth.net|date=2006-06-06|accessdate=2008-08-22|publisher = Blabbermouth ] however, it was confirmed that its final title is "Save Me from Myself".

Background and production

In February 2005, Welch left Korn which he helped form in 1992, saying moral reasons caused his departure.cite news |first= James|last= Montgomery|title= Leaves Korn, Citing Moral Objections To Band's Music|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1497313/20050222/korn.jhtml|publisher= MTV|date= 2005-02-22|accessdate=2008-08-22] Welch stated he had distanced himself from the band for 1½ to two years, "I just wanted to fade away, it was crazy. I was so gone." Welch wished to "rededicate [his] life to Christianity". Over his final month with Korn, Welch attempted to "reach out" to other members, but was met with negative reactions. Welch then left Korn. Shortly after, Welch asked Korn's bassist, Reginald Arvizu, to produce the album, however, he received no response.cite news |first= James|last= Montgomery|title= Brian 'Head' Welch Explains Why He Left Korn|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1497484/20050225/korn.jhtml|publisher= MTV|date= 2005-02-25|accessdate=2008-08-22] While looking for a home in Arizona, Welch entered the recording studio. [harvnb|Welch|2007|pp=190] He immediately began writing; "entire songs would just come out: drums, bass, guitar, strings, choir, lyrics, everything... It was as if God was just downloading these songs inside me." [harvnb|Welch|2007|pp=191] After months of songwriting, "about three albums worth of material" had been created. [harvnb|Welch|2007|pp=197]

On the experience of working with other musicians again since his departure from Korn, Welch attests, "It's been a long time since I've connected with people musically and, now that the wounds have healed from my past addictions, I'm ready to feel the magic again."cite book |title = Who'll Save the Rest of Us? |publisher = "Metal Edge" |date = October 2008 |pages = 12]

Promotion

On June 5, 2008, Welch posted a video announcement on his website.cite web |url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=98482|title= Former KORN Guitarist BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH Sets Release Date For Solo Debut|date=2008-06-05|accessdate=2008-08-22 |publisher= Blabbermouth] The video announced that Welch had officially signed with Driven Music Group, and would release "Save Me from Myself" on September 9, 2008.

A three-minute sample of Head's first single, "Flush", was posted on Welch's website on June 16, 2008.cite web |url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=99157|title= Former KORN Guitarist BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH Releases New Single Sample|date=2008-06-16|accessdate=2008-08-22 |publisher= Blabbermouth] The single was released on July 8, 2008, exclusively on iTunes music store, and a music video directed by Frankie Nasso of Nova Entertainmentcite web|title=Ex-KORN Guitarist BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH: 'Flush' Video Available|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104113|date=2008-09-05|accessdate=2008-09-05|publisher=Blabbermouth] was filmed in Los Angeles,cite web |url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=102835|title=Former KORN Guitarist Completes Filming 'Flush' Video |date=2008-08-14|accessdate=2008-08-22 |publisher= Blabbermouth] and released on September 5, 2008. On August 26, 2008, Welch revealed the lengths of each song on the album.cite web |url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=103568|title=Ex-KORN Guitarist BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH: Final 'Save Me From Myself' Track Listing Revealed |date=2008-08-26|accessdate=2008-08-26 |publisher= Blabbermouth]

Musical and lyrical themes

Quote box
quote =I always loved that Korn's music helped kids let out aggression. But with my new music, I want kids to know that there's more out there. I want to show them there's a light at the end of the pain tunnel. That there's more out there than just aggression. I want to say to them, 'Hey kids, come over here. Let's bounce back and forth and have fun.'
source =— Brian Welch
width =350px
align =rightWelch wrote in his autobiography, "Save Me from Myself", that ideas for lyrics and music often came from conversations with friends, including themes for "Re-Bel" and "Washed by Blood". [harvnb|Welch|2007|pp=193–4] The music has "a Christian, spiritual edge",cite news |first= James|last= Montgomery|title= Brian 'Head' Welch Hopes Solo Music Will Fund Skate Parks|url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1497749/20050303/korn.jhtml|publisher= MTV|date= 2005-03-03|accessdate=2008-08-22] while being an "extension of the Korn family". "I literally poured everything I had into "Save Me from Myself"," Welch explained in June 2008, "I know it's gonna inspire a lot of people." [cite news |author= IGN Music|title= Head Returns|url= http://music.ign.com/articles/884/884062p1.html|work= Music|publisher= IGN|date= 2008-06-24|accessdate=2008-08-22]

The song "Flush", Welch explains, was written musically first. Welch had accidentally locked himself in his studio, so he decided, "I'm gonna go back inside, grab my keyboard, and whatever my hands do, I'll make a song out of it." He had created the opening riff for "Flush". Lyrically, Welch cites, "the lyrics for 'Flush' are basically about flushing all the crap in life down the toilet and starting out fresh," Welch continued, "All the drama that I experienced with getting drunk and doing drugs all the time seemed interesting and amusing to write about." [cite album-notes |title= Flush|albumlink= Flush (Brian Head Welch song)|bandname= Brian "Head" Welch|year= 2008|notestitle= |url= |first= Brian|last= Welch|authorlink= Brian Welch|coauthors= |pages=2 |format=digital booklet |publisher= Driven Music Group|publisherid= |location= |mbid=]

Welch wrote "Re-Bel" after a friend told him about a child she knew with problems, due to poor treatment from his parents.harvnb|Welch|2007|pp=192] The story reminded Welch of how he used to drink and not take care of his daughter when he should have. The lyrics of the song are about kids who run to God due to negative things in their life so that "He could bring healing into their lives". [harvnb|Welch|2007|pp=192–3]

Welch said that the title track, "Save Me from Myself", is his most personal song.harvnb|Welch|2007|pp=196] The verses talk about Welch's drug use, suicidal thoughts, depression, and lying. His favorite part "is when I'm screaming to God, thanking him for saving me from myself... and am living for Him now."

Welch said that "Die Religion Die" has multiple meanings to him.harvnb|Welch|2007|pp=195] The song "encourages people to get out of the whole 'Sunday Christian' mentality" and helps them understand that God "dwells in us", not "in buildings". He wrote in his autobiography, "All of the man-made religion crap in this world has to die. Whether it's Christian man-made religion crap or some other man-made religion crap, it all has to die." Welch continues to explain, "All that prideful, controlling religious crap is what drives young people away from churches, and it has to go."

"Washed by Blood" was written after a conversation with another friend, who asked him "isn't it cool that we're washed by blood?" over breakfast one morning.harvnb|Welch|2007|pp=193] Welch wrote that he was referring to the Bible calling Jesus' punishment and bleeding on the cross as being "washed by blood". After their meal, "suddenly, this music came into his head".

Referring to the art theme of the cover of the album, Welch explained, "It represents me being trapped in addictions, and getting set free from it from the angel that is standing behind me."cite news |first= Andrea|last= Goforth|title= Brian "Head" Welch - Save Me from Myself|url= http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2008/savemefrommyself.html|publisher= "Christianity Today"|date= 2008-09|accessdate=2008-09-10]

Reception

"Save Me from Myself" has been generally well-received by critics. Some praised the album's message, "Even though the music of "Save Me from Myself" isn't quite on par with the super hit material of Korn from the late '90s, it is nevertheless a very good nü-metal album with an amazing story of redemption." Andrea Goforth of "Christianity Today" stated, "The content is so much more positive that anything released by Korn, that I can look past the absence of hooks to find a great deal of hope," also noting a lack of hooks. "Hit Parader" praised the musical aspect, stating, "though his lyrical messages may now be more positive and uplifting than anything found in the Korn hard rock catalogue, the style of music brought forth here is as heavy as anything Mr. Welch has ever presented before." The magazine went on to praise the album's lack of "preachy" messages, "throughout "Save Me From Myself" Head manages to present his inspirational messages without necessarily preaching his beliefs to the metal masses."Fact|date=August 2008 About.com writer Chad Bowar stated that, "although many of the songs are slow in tempo they don't lack in intensity." Chad Bowar went on to mention the variety of musical styles on the album, "There is a lot of musical diversity, and you'll hear everything from melodic mainstream rock to traditional metal to very dissonant and unsettling harmonies."cite web|title=Brian "Head" Welch - Save Me From Myself (About.com)|url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/brianwelchsave.htm|date=2008-09-09|accessdate=2008-09-17|published=About.com] It has been proposed that the album has a distinctive sound, very reminiscent to Korn, but different in the matter that its uplifting, "the album sounds a lot like Korn, but coupled with the Christ centered lyrics Welch is now singing, I can't think of many other bands in the Christian music industry that deliver this same distinctive sound," Jesus Freak Hideout writer Kevin Hoskins wrote.cite web|title=Head Save Me From Myself (Jesus Freak Hideout)|url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/SaveMeFromMyself.asp|date=2008-08-30|accessdate=2008-09-17|publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout]

The general praise of "Save Me from Myself" has not been unanimous, however. Reviewing for "Metal Edge", Madeline Phillips felt that, "Sadly, in pursuit of greater spiritual understanding . . . Welch seems to have lost all sense of a relatable musical identity and direction," and that despite some noteworthy riffs and decent melodies, the album is "not just alienating - quite frankly, it's boring."cite book |title = Reviews |publisher = "Metal Edge" |date = October 2008 |pages = 81]

"Flush" controversy

The content of the music video for "Flush" has reportedly caused select retailers to pull "Save Me from Myself" from their shelves.cite web|title=Ex-KORN Guitarist BRIAN 'HEAD' WELCH's Defends 'Controversial' Video|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105600] This prompted Welch to provide his explanation for what transpires in the video:

Welch went on to call into question the retailers' actions, as the music video is not packaged with the album itself. "I totally understand that the video may be a bit too much for some conservative people and I respect everyone's choice. But to me, taking my CDs off the shelves because of a music video (that isn't being sold with the CD) is a bit too extreme! There is a huge message of hope on my CD and I believe those retailers that are pulling the CD from their shelves are robbing someone spiritually by taking it off of the shelves . . ."

Track listing

# "L.O.V.E." – 6:31
# "Flush" – 4:26
# "Loyalty" – 5:07
# "Re-Bel" – 5:40
# "Home" – 6:52
# "Save Me from Myself" – 5:44
# "Die Religion Die" – 5:34
# "Adonai" – 5:19
# "Money" – 4:43
# "Shake" – 4:48
# "Washed by Blood" – 9:34

Chart positions

Personnel

* Brian Welch – vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, synthesizers, programming, producing
* Archie J. Muise, Jr. – rhythm guitar
* Trevor Dunn – bass
* Tony Levin – bass
* Josh Freese – drums
* Jennea Welch – choir vocals
* Doug Angle – choir vocals
* Christian McCullen – choir vocals
* Elijah Jurewics – choir vocals
* Hailey Cooper – choir vocals
* Taylor Cooper – choir vocals

* Greg Shanaberger – production supervisor
* Mark Nawara – production supervisor
* Carlos Castro – engineer
* Randy Emata – editing, additional synthesizers, programming
* Ralph Patlan – editing, mixing
* Bruno Canale – engineer, guitar technician
* Fernando Romay – engineer, guitar technician
* Rafael Patrón – production coordinator
* Patrick Essman – production assistant
* Clint Keener – production assistant
* Evren Goknar – mastering
* Travis Smith – artwork, layout
* Alonso Murillo – photography, photo editing
* Bob Clearmountain – mixing
* Steve Delaportas – production

References

*cite book |title= Save Me From Myself|last= Welch|first= Brian "Head"|authorlink= Brian Welch|year= 2007|publisher= HarperCollins|location= New York|isbn= 9780061251849