CD Truth
– ‘Chemically Dependent’ (Foot in Mouth Productions)
I love this fucking album.
Good songs, solid production, and a genuinely unique sound that still stays
within the boundaries of punk rock. It’s poppy without being weak, aggressive
without turning into the testosterone soaked jock music that often passes for
hardcore these days. The Ramones and early Devo are the two influences I hear
the most, but they filter their inspirations through their own bizarre muse.
I’m guessing someone in the band is familiar with Hawkwind as well, judging by
their borrowing of the “Brainstorm” riff on “My Friends are Doing Bad Things
Again”. Thankfully CD Truth puts their own twist on it, and it’s one of my
favorite tracks on the album. The lyrics are idiosyncratic and personal and
cover such topics as the band’s hometown (“Follow me to Akron”, “King of the
Highland Square Losers”), B-movies (“Queen of Blood”) and just plain silliness
(“Gee Whiz”). Somehow the band manages to insert a memorable hook into every
song. Overall this album reminds me of why I got into punk in the first place,
and of a time when punk bands all sounded different while still obviously
belonging to the same musical genre. (Bob Ignizio)
Another piece of uber-hip New
York shit. Fifteen songs in twenty minutes. Most of it sounds like Shellac
goofing off at sound check. The song “Zoo Love” resembles INXS’ “I Need You
Tonight” as covered by a suburban high school metal band. The Ex-Models have
managed to make a twenty minute album with fifteen minutes worth of filler.
Just absolute junk. Remember when bands put out twenty minute albums that just
ruled. It doesn’t matter how long it is if it kills like the Minutemen’s “Buzz
or Howl.” In today’s wintry economic climate $14 is a lot to spend for five
minutes of useful music. Hope you boys were sexy models, cuz your music is
poop. (Dave Ignizio)
Opeth
have completely left behind all traces of metal on this album. ‘Damnation’ is a
full on prog rock album, a collection of 8 mellow and melodic songs played by
top notch musicians who know how to write epic pieces without sinking into
boring self indulgence. I liked Opeth’s previous album ‘Deliverance’ quite a
bit, but some of the songs felt like they could have used some editing. That’s
not the case here. While there are still plenty of extended instrumental breaks
the songs take center stage. Mikael Åkerfeldt has already shown what a good
singing voice he has on the quieter sections of Opeth’s music in the past, but
he really comes into his own as a vocalist here. That’s not to say this is a
commercial sounding album. The rhythms and riffs are complex and the general
tone is way too mournful for airplay on today’s rock radio. I’m sure a lot of
the metal heads who supported this band in the past will be disappointed, but
the more open minded ones will see this for the incredible album it is and the
band’s upcoming tour with Porcupine Tree should help them replace those
defectors with new fans. (Bob Ignizio)
Shesus reminds me of so many
disposable early and mid nineties female fronted rock bands like Veruca Salt or
Hole. That stuff was never my thing and I don’t think Shesus even measures up
to those bands. This album plods along on misguided attempts at attitude and
rehashed power chords. I’m more than a little bit upset about the Bowie cover
of “Hang onto Yourself.” It’s basically the musical equivalent of Gus Van
Sant’s “Psycho” remake. Shesus is from Dayton and has roots in many of the
regions finest bands like Brainiac and the Breeders. Production duties were
handled by Afghan Whigs bassist John Curley. However, if your expecting it to
sound like any of those bands you’re in for a disappointment. (Dave Ignizio)
I love this fucking album.
Good songs, solid production, and a genuinely unique sound that still stays
within the boundaries of punk rock. It’s poppy without being weak, aggressive
without turning into the testosterone soaked jock music that often passes for
hardcore these days. The Ramones and early Devo are the two influences I hear
the most, but they filter their inspirations through their own bizarre muse.
I’m guessing someone in the band is familiar with Hawkwind as well, judging by
their borrowing of the “Brainstorm” riff on “My Friends are Doing Bad Things
Again”. Thankfully CD Truth puts their own twist on it, and it’s one of my
favorite tracks on the album. The lyrics are idiosyncratic and personal and
cover such topics as the band’s hometown (“Follow me to Akron”, “King of the
Highland Square Losers”), B-movies (“Queen of Blood”) and just plain silliness
(“Gee Whiz”). Somehow the band manages to insert a memorable hook into every
song. Overall this album reminds me of why I got into punk in the first place,
and of a time when punk bands all sounded different while still obviously
belonging to the same musical genre. (Bob Ignizio) 
Another piece of uber-hip New
York shit. Fifteen songs in twenty minutes. Most of it sounds like Shellac
goofing off at sound check. The song “Zoo Love” resembles INXS’ “I Need You
Tonight” as covered by a suburban high school metal band. The Ex-Models have
managed to make a twenty minute album with fifteen minutes worth of filler.
Just absolute junk. Remember when bands put out twenty minute albums that just
ruled. It doesn’t matter how long it is if it kills like the Minutemen’s “Buzz
or Howl.” In today’s wintry economic climate $14 is a lot to spend for five
minutes of useful music. Hope you boys were sexy models, cuz your music is
poop. (Dave Ignizio)
Opeth
have completely left behind all traces of metal on this album. ‘Damnation’ is a
full on prog rock album, a collection of 8 mellow and melodic songs played by
top notch musicians who know how to write epic pieces without sinking into
boring self indulgence. I liked Opeth’s previous album ‘Deliverance’ quite a
bit, but some of the songs felt like they could have used some editing. That’s
not the case here. While there are still plenty of extended instrumental breaks
the songs take center stage. Mikael Åkerfeldt has already shown what a good
singing voice he has on the quieter sections of Opeth’s music in the past, but
he really comes into his own as a vocalist here. That’s not to say this is a
commercial sounding album. The rhythms and riffs are complex and the general
tone is way too mournful for airplay on today’s rock radio. I’m sure a lot of
the metal heads who supported this band in the past will be disappointed, but
the more open minded ones will see this for the incredible album it is and the
band’s upcoming tour with Porcupine Tree should help them replace those
defectors with new fans. (Bob Ignizio)
Shesus reminds me of so many
disposable early and mid nineties female fronted rock bands like Veruca Salt or
Hole. That stuff was never my thing and I don’t think Shesus even measures up
to those bands. This album plods along on misguided attempts at attitude and
rehashed power chords. I’m more than a little bit upset about the Bowie cover
of “Hang onto Yourself.” It’s basically the musical equivalent of Gus Van
Sant’s “Psycho” remake. Shesus is from Dayton and has roots in many of the
regions finest bands like Brainiac and the Breeders. Production duties were
handled by Afghan Whigs bassist John Curley. However, if your expecting it to
sound like any of those bands you’re in for a disappointment. (Dave Ignizio)