| :: Stereochrist :: Dead River Blues (2003) CD ::
'Dead River Blues' is an album, that I can't find any deeper meanings from, but still manages to rock every now and then. This isn't heaviest stuff nor the most ballsless stoner out there. Most of the songs roll on nicely with okay riffs, and 'Mind Ammo' gets close to "killer" as does 'All Along the River'. Occasional nods to doom metal are like a lifeboat to me on this river, as well as some heavy metal touches like solos and harmonies on guitar work. While the songs roll on well, some roll on for a tad too long. 'Supersorrow' is Sabbath-esque slow song. Some of the songs have more twists than many a rock song, that it's not all too simple and this is a good thing. Playing is energetic enough, but it could be so much more energetic and above all, hard. 'All Along the River' is way more energy-filled than most of these 10 songs, weird. The word "river" certainly sounds Southern and Southern rock has certainly influenced the band. Vocalist has a very individual voice. However, it is tough one to get into. It is somehow unstable (can't think of anything else to picture his voice). He's not a very good singer, because he doesn't stick on one note for a second, and maybe he doesn't fire all he could. Sounds like he triees to sing lower he really does. Sometimes guy's voice fit in very well (eg. 'Christ Was an Angry Man's chorus). Screaming every now and then sound well better. Good music to drink beer to. Some songs tend to flow without notice even if I try to listen to them (eg. lame 'Hologram Man' and 'Way back Home'). The music doesn't bring anything new into the vast world of rock, but at least vocals are something different. While I don't like them, somebody else might. Reviewed by Lane 06-03-2004
|
||
_______________________________________________ |