The Alligators – ‘Hide Your
Children, Surrender Your Women’ (self released)
The Alligators, based on the evidence of this CD, have
probably worn out the grooves on their Mummies, Mono Men, Headcoats, and Sonics
vinyl. There are a few moments here and there that show influences from less
retro sources, but not many. But what this band might lack in originality they
make up for with unbridled passion and solid songwriting. I wouldn’t put this
quite on the level of The Mummies ‘Never Been Caught’, but it’s in the
ballpark. Songs like “Wrecking Ball” and “The Tarantula” are sleaze classics.
And the guys get bonus points for writing a song about Cleveland legend
“Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins (the aptly titled “The Screamer”). The production is
suitably lo-fi, but not self consciously so. If you like your rock n roll
dirty, ugly and raunchy you’ll want to pick this up pronto. (Bob Ignizio)
Centrifuge is a local
trio specializing in spacey, psychedelic heavy metal. Imagine Black Sabbath
jamming with Pink Floyd at Helmet's house, and you can start to understand what
this band is really like. The music is certainly atmospheric in it's dark
sludginess, with an almost cinematic quality to it. This could be the
soundtrack to a groovy dark and gothic European horror film. The production is
a bit on the muddy side for my tastes, but fans of basement rock will love it.
My main beef is that there's not much in the way of songs. Sure, the groove is
straight on, and the riffs can inspire some air-guitaring and head-banging.
However, one song seems to blend into another, and I would be hard pressed to
hum a melody from the CD even though I've listened to it three times through
already. Though this is a five-song EP, it really sounds like one long song in
five somewhat dissimilar movements. However, this is a great CD to play at a
party or when friends are over, for it's soundtrack qualities lend themselves to
backing up a night of chatting quite well. Also when the bongloads kick in I’m
sure I’m going to like this one better. The Heathen Hippy gives it 3 bong
hits. For more info or to buy a copy of this CD go to
http://centrifugemusic.tripod.com/index.html. (Taliesin Govannon)
Occasionally a
musical artist makes an incredible personal musical statement. The best of
these are from multi-instrumentalists who have the power to self-create an
entire album, playing practically every part. Steve Vai has done this on
‘Flex-Able’, as has Dave Grohl on the first Foo Fighters album. Nuclear
Assault's Glen Evans offers another stab at total creative control with
‘Attitude’, the re-released debut of his one man band CIA. Glen
does...everything. Absolutely bloody everything!!! Aside from the guitar
solos, every instrument and voice you hear on this cd is from Glen. This is the
true "solo" album for the traditional metal crowd, fans of thrash and
old-fashioned Brit Metal (Maiden, Priest, etc) especially. The songs are
great...maybe Glen needs to write for Nuclear Assault more often, as this blows
away NA's last two albums by a mile. From the power riffing of "Ace In The
Hole", through the pounding "Can't Find My Way"...from the speed picking of
"Pull The Trigger", through the thrashing “Land of Doom and Gloom” this CD is
packed with awesome metal prowess. (Taliesin Govannon)
Elkland's
EP 'Apart' is an upbeat mix of 80's-esque synth pop and rock featuring two songs
from their forthcoming full-length album, 'Golden'. The title track, "Apart,"
kicks things off in a fast paced, hook filled fashion with desperate obsessive
pleas also reminiscent of 80's lyrics - "You and I will never be apart...I want
you to be here." The disc continues on with "Salvation," a well-done, electronic
bass-heavy Cranberries cover. The album maintains the upbeat hooks with "I Think
I Hate Her." "Every Time You Tell Me That You Love Me" slows the pace only
slightly, as all positive love songs tend to do. The EP wraps up with an upbeat
remix of the title track. Overall, 'Apart' is filled with catchy lyrics and
melodies and just the right mix of electronic dance beats to keep the listener
moving during the song and still singing after it's done. (Jennifer Adams)
The Alligators, based on the evidence of this CD, have
probably worn out the grooves on their Mummies, Mono Men, Headcoats, and Sonics
vinyl. There are a few moments here and there that show influences from less
retro sources, but not many. But what this band might lack in originality they
make up for with unbridled passion and solid songwriting. I wouldn’t put this
quite on the level of The Mummies ‘Never Been Caught’, but it’s in the
ballpark. Songs like “Wrecking Ball” and “The Tarantula” are sleaze classics.
And the guys get bonus points for writing a song about Cleveland legend
“Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins (the aptly titled “The Screamer”). The production is
suitably lo-fi, but not self consciously so. If you like your rock n roll
dirty, ugly and raunchy you’ll want to pick this up pronto. (Bob Ignizio)
Centrifuge is a local
trio specializing in spacey, psychedelic heavy metal. Imagine Black Sabbath
jamming with Pink Floyd at Helmet's house, and you can start to understand what
this band is really like. The music is certainly atmospheric in it's dark
sludginess, with an almost cinematic quality to it. This could be the
soundtrack to a groovy dark and gothic European horror film. The production is
a bit on the muddy side for my tastes, but fans of basement rock will love it.
My main beef is that there's not much in the way of songs. Sure, the groove is
straight on, and the riffs can inspire some air-guitaring and head-banging.
However, one song seems to blend into another, and I would be hard pressed to
hum a melody from the CD even though I've listened to it three times through
already. Though this is a five-song EP, it really sounds like one long song in
five somewhat dissimilar movements. However, this is a great CD to play at a
party or when friends are over, for it's soundtrack qualities lend themselves to
backing up a night of chatting quite well. Also when the bongloads kick in I’m
sure I’m going to like this one better. The Heathen Hippy gives it 3 bong
hits. For more info or to buy a copy of this CD go to
Occasionally a
musical artist makes an incredible personal musical statement. The best of
these are from multi-instrumentalists who have the power to self-create an
entire album, playing practically every part. Steve Vai has done this on
‘Flex-Able’, as has Dave Grohl on the first Foo Fighters album. Nuclear
Assault's Glen Evans offers another stab at total creative control with
‘Attitude’, the re-released debut of his one man band CIA. Glen
does...everything. Absolutely bloody everything!!! Aside from the guitar
solos, every instrument and voice you hear on this cd is from Glen. This is the
true "solo" album for the traditional metal crowd, fans of thrash and
old-fashioned Brit Metal (Maiden, Priest, etc) especially. The songs are
great...maybe Glen needs to write for Nuclear Assault more often, as this blows
away NA's last two albums by a mile. From the power riffing of "Ace In The
Hole", through the pounding "Can't Find My Way"...from the speed picking of
"Pull The Trigger", through the thrashing “Land of Doom and Gloom” this CD is
packed with awesome metal prowess. (Taliesin Govannon) 
Elkland's
EP 'Apart' is an upbeat mix of 80's-esque synth pop and rock featuring two songs
from their forthcoming full-length album, 'Golden'. The title track, "Apart,"
kicks things off in a fast paced, hook filled fashion with desperate obsessive
pleas also reminiscent of 80's lyrics - "You and I will never be apart...I want
you to be here." The disc continues on with "Salvation," a well-done, electronic
bass-heavy Cranberries cover. The album maintains the upbeat hooks with "I Think
I Hate Her." "Every Time You Tell Me That You Love Me" slows the pace only
slightly, as all positive love songs tend to do. The EP wraps up with an upbeat
remix of the title track. Overall, 'Apart' is filled with catchy lyrics and
melodies and just the right mix of electronic dance beats to keep the listener
moving during the song and still singing after it's done. (Jennifer Adams)