Wicked Wisdom is a high-powered heavy rock/metal group that joins the ranks of Otep and Synergy as being a band that shoves their female vocalist to the front of the mix, making her the focus of their musical vision. In this case, the band's trump card is that their vocalist, Jada Pinkett Smith (aka Jada Koren), who is married to one Will Smith.
Now on tour with Sevendust and a slew of other bands,
I predict that Jada will bring an energeting persona to the stage
and possibly steal the show. But while it would be easy to dismiss
the music on this release as the Jada Smith show, that would be a
grave disservice to the work of the other musicians on this
release; specifically, drummer Phillip "Fish" Fisher, who is the
real secret weapon of this quintet. Powerful double-bass chops
coupled with driving snare work propel the band through "One," one
of the best songs on the release. Basssist Rio locks in with Fisher
to provide the rumblings of a powerful united rhythm section.
Kicking off with the overdrive push of "Yesterday Don't Mean," the guitar attack of Pocket Honore and Cameron Graves immediately propel the band. "One" provides crunch that would make Dimebag proud, while "Cruel Intentions" slows the pace only long enough to prep for "You Can't Handle," which toggles between a subdued part and an kick-in-the-ass uptempo part. Immediately after "You Can't Handle" comes "Forgiven," which is the closest the band comes to a ballad. Combining sultry vocals from Smith and a driving drum attack from Fisher, this is surely the hightlight of the release.
"Set Me Free" provides a political forum for Smith as she raps/speaks over Fisher's subtle tom pattern and Rio's grumbling bass riff. Smith asks "Women, what kind of soldiers are we if we can't set ourselves free / who will our daughters be?" I imagine that in concert this song sets up a monologue for Smith to talk about whatever is on her mind. The song is set up so that Fisher and Rio could hammer the riff they are playing repeatedly while Smith talks.
"Don't Hate Me" has a lot of cussing and F-bombs that are really not necessary. Also unnecessary is the annoying screaming male vocalist that provide a contrast to Smith's vocals. I know the effect they are going for and it's been done, and it's the weakest song here. The final track, "Reckoning," is an uptempo rocker that encapsulates everything positive about Wicked Wisdom. Guitarists Honore and Graves are in perfect sync with Smith's vocal fluctuations, while Fisher and Rio set up the transition to the next part of the song.
In all, Wicked Wisdom is probably tearing up the stage on their tour. Being a celebrity and being in a band doesn't guarantee success, but the band going the right path by paying their dues and it will be interesting to see where they go from here. They definitely have a solid foundation for a successful future.