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Music Reviews By Mike SOS NEW END ORIGINAL Ex- Far front man Jonah Mantraga has returned to the limelight with New End Original, and it's a welcomed return for the emotive lead singer. The 11 tracks that comprise Thriller pick up the pieces of Far's demise and dusts off a few tricks, adding some of New End Original's own twists along the way to complete a barrage of melodic dramatics, both musically and lyrically. While the overall vibe is discerningly more mellow ("Better Than This"), the music manages to retain an intense edge throughout. From the sunny day harmonies of "Lukewarm" and the sing-along, punk fist-pumping of "14-41" to the heart wrenching dynamics of "Better Than Ever" and the acoustic beauty of "The Name," this may just be the best stuff a band from California has done in a very long time, perhaps not since the last Far album. Solid in every way and worth every minute of your time, Thriller is a must have for those that appreciate heartfelt rock music. (www.jadetree.com) ROB ZOMBIE The modern day master of the macabre returns after a long sabbatical with an 11-track album that isn't exactly what you'd expect, but doesn't disappoint, either. Rob Zombie has been through a lot since the release of Hellbilly Deluxe, and The Sinister Urge seems to be more of a personal release than previous efforts. While the much-duplicated techno-metal a-go-go staple sound Zombie basically created is reclaimed here masterfully ("Feel So Numb," "Dead Girl Superstar"), Zombie also does some mad scientist-type experimentation in the studio. Adding a Doors-esque trippiness ("California") and implementing a full scale orchestra behind the demonic operatics ("Bring Her Down") into his already crushing mix give TSU an ultra-polished gloss that transcends Zombie's Lower East Side roots and catapults him into the upper echelon of the metal landscape. To top it all off, a guest appearance by Ozzy ("Ironhead") solidifies the album as a triumph, albeit a way too short 35 minute one. Nonetheless, Rob Zombie's latest album, like everything else he puts his stamp on, stomps with the kind of abandon that holds its own in any nudie bar. And, Zombie also proves that he not only learned the right way to rock from Ozzy, Alice and Lemmy, but that he can consider himself a true auteur of the game. (www.robzombie.com) THE SHINERS The Shiners claim they have the new Southern sound, and this seven-piece outfit hailing from Virginia may just be correct, as their 10-track disc laden with Americana whisks you away to a mountain retreat and prepares you for some good old down home picking and grinning. Taking a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll and swirling it into a folksy and rootsy mix that will have you doing a two step in no time ("The Bridge"). Twangy and jangly enough to justify a night of moonshine drinking ("Los Gatos Del Fuego") and hanging on the porch with your shotgun perched in your lap, The Shiners succeed in making country cool again. (www.theshiners.com) DIABOLICAL Diabolical crush your senses with the kind of molten metal that only Swedes can deliver. Disjointed and going to extremes on their eight tracks of audio destruction, these guys carve out a technically brilliant display of thrash and death metal that would remind you of the kind of tuff stuff Carcass would have done if they were still active ("Drowned In Blood"). Stellar breakdowns and guitar acrobatics are accompanied by blood-curdling screams and skull-bashing rhythms ("Haven") to make Diabolical's latest release a horned-hand homily for those about to rock. More metal than you'll know what to do with. (www.ww3music.com) BOB'S KITCHEN Looking for some upbeat punk songs tinged with cleverly placed choruses and that patented Cali punk sound? Check out Long Island's Bob's Kitchen, the closest thing you'll get to suburbia this side of a wood-paneled Chevy station wagon. On their seven-track release, these guys release more testosterone than a high school gym class and have a good time doing it ("Fran"). Fast and furious sing-alongs and even faster drumbeats let Bob's Kitchen hit that NOFX nerve ("Tie My Shoes") and let them revel in the Blink 182 spotlight. For a righteous shot of cheeky punk, check these folks out. HALFWAY TO GONE If you're looking for jam rock that will leave welts all over, look no further than the stoner-friendly sounds of Michigan's Halfway To Gone. Their 12-track disc is groove laden, heavy in all the right places and, above all, a kickass, ball-busting display of hard rocking, blues-tinged madness. In your face a la Karma To Burn ("The Big W," "Stormy Day"), and just as throbbing as Fu Manchu ("Story Of My Life"), HTG has not only got the smooth grooves, but they can also write a killer hook ("Devil Spit"). This trio is worth the time and complements your Kyuss, Monster Magnet and other stoner-rock faves quite well. (www.halfwaytogone.com) ROADSAW Roadsaw is an American band who has sought refuge in the hard rock scene of Sweden, and in turn, have come out swinging with 12 tracks chock full of nitro-burning rock and roll. Sounding like a heavier, meaner, '80s metal troupe (think Hanoi Rocks or LA Guns before their hits) with a jolt of '70s arena rock complete with keyboards thrown in ("Foot"), this quartet stomps with AC/DC-esque abandon ("Bad Ass Rising") sans the flashy fretwork and throws out rhythms more solid than the obligatory holiday fruitcake. While Roadsaw's full throttle attack isn't going to produce world peace or save the seals, it's definitely worthy of a horned hand thrown into the air and perhaps a few yowls of appreciation ("Disconnected"). For those about to rock, Roadsaw delivers the goods in the most primal of ways. (www.roadsaw.net) WUMPSCUT Hailing from Germany and sounding mysteriously like Rammstein, Wumpscut's industrial strength industrial music is searing and majestic. The 11 tracks that comprise Wreath of Barbs are as scathing as the title suggests, comparable to KMFDM ("Deliverance"). Atmospheric in some places ("Wreath Of Barbs") and mind-blowingly crushing in others ("Troops Under Fire"), this album is the perfect excuse to bust out the PVC outfit hanging in your closet. If you're looking to dance like they do on Sprockets, this is the music to do it by for certain. (www.metropolis-records.com) INCUBUS Incubus seems to be everyone's rock darlings as of
late, and Morning View is a fine example why these California natives
are plastered all over rock radio and MTV. Their latest 13-track release
displays some of the lighter sides of the once aggro outfit, but it
does so with great musical depth and their usual poignant lyrical
insight ("Mexico," "Echo"). In fact, this album
really captures the band at their happiest, and who can blame them?
Rising from the nu metal pack with a bullet, thanks not only to lead
throat Brandon's dashing looks, but also to the band's hybrid sound,
Incubus is currently enjoying unfathomable success. And with songs
like the spacious "Wish You Were Here" and the driving melodics
of "Circles," their success is well warranted. Even though
their popularity is reaching boy band-like levels, Incubus still hammers
out some of the most adventurous hard rock today ("Nice To Know
You," "Blood On The Ground"), mixing Chili Pepper-esque
funk with Faith No More's heady wordplay and Deftones-like dynamics
("Have You Ever") to create the critically acclaimed and
often (poorly) duplicated staple Incubus sound. It's rare for a band's
life expectancy to outlast their sophomore effort, but Incubus defies
the odds and roars back with a lush display of rock 'n' roll laden
with intelligence and a keen musical know-how that should allow the
band's star to continue shining brightly for many albums after this
one. (www.enjoyincubus.com) |