LVL IV
| LVL IV | |
|---|---|
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| Studio album by Future Leaders of the World | |
| Released | October 5, 2004 |
| Genre | Alternative rock, post-grunge, rap metal |
| Label | Epic |
| Producer | Mike Flynn |
| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |
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LVL IV, pronounced Level Four, is the debut by American post-grunge band Future Leaders of the World. It features the song "Let Me Out" which received extensive airplay and launched Future Leaders of the World into the mainstream. The songs "Kill Pop" and "Make You Believe" were also featured on the game ATV Offroad Fury 3
The development of LVL IV began with frontman Phil Taylor enlisting bassist Toby Cole and drummer Carl Messina. Financed by Puddle of Mudd's Mike Flynn, who Taylor had previously befriended, they arrived in Los Angeles to record a demo which led to Cole's departure by creative differences. By late 2003, bassist Bill Hershey and lead guitarist Jake Stutevoss joined and Taylor negotiated a contract with Epic Records. LVL IV hit shelves the following autumn in 2004.
LVL IV features a heavy post-grunge style easily comparable to Nirvana, a pioneer of grunge, and Puddle of Mudd, a band directly influenced by the former. Taylor's vocals involve strong use of harsh screaming but also fast-paced rapping in tracks such as "Everyday" and "Kill Pop." Lyrically, LVL IV also contains various political themes, drawing further comparison to Rage Against the Machine.
LVL IV featured two singles, "Let Me Out" and "Everyday." The former gained higher chart success and had a music video while the latter also performed well on radio.
In promotion of LVL IV, Future Leaders of the World joined SnoCore 2005 with the likes of Chevelle and Crossfade. They also took part in the Jägermeister Music Tour with Submersed and headliners Alter Bridge that spring. It was during this extensive concert schedule that Epic Records informed the band of their contract's termination.
Johnny Loftus gave LVL IV 2.5 out of 5 stars and did not write an extensive review but noted that the album "looked to the sounds of alternative's heyday – Nirvana; Rage Against the Machine – as a guide." He also noted "Spotlight," "Everyday," and "Your Gov't Loves You" as AMG Track Picks.
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