Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: Year 2008
Showdown - Back Breaker

Showdown - Back Breaker

Showdown
Back Breaker
Label: Solid State Records

The 3rd time is the charm for this thrash/power/death metal group; their best yet! Utilizing powerful Greek myths as the lyrical basis for the songs provides an interesting and powerful tapestry of material to tap into. Good grooves and aural diversity.

The Showdown Wiki

Trin-Tran - Grows A Rose

Trin-Tran - Grows A Rose

Trin-Tran
Grows A Rose
Label: Animalman Records

Hyper maniacal one man band and visual spectacle. Very quirky keyboard riffs are spanked by punchy drums and nonsensical lyrics. Not for the faint of heart or the musical purist.


Uriah Heep - Wake The Sleeper

Uriah Heep - Wake The Sleeper

Uriah Heep
Wake The Sleeper
Label: Sanctuary Records

Updating but not abandoning their classic 80s synth rock approach, this release shows the band as strong and musically alluring as ever.

Uriah Heep WebsiteUriah Heep Wiki

Apocalyptica - Worlds Collide

Apocalyptica - Worlds Collide

Apocalyptica
Worlds Collide
Label: 20 20/ Jive Records

Cellos and heavy metal may be an unlikely combination, but these fine Finnish folks have successfully been kicking out variants on their theme over the years. With several guest vocalists and a couple radio ready singles, this release is a smoking’ mix of their symphonic metal and thrashin’ ragers.

Apocalyptica WebsiteApocalyptica Wiki

Asylum Street Spankers - What? And Give Up Show Biz?

Asylum Street Spankers - What? And Give Up Show Biz?

Asylum Street Spankers
What? And Give Up Show Biz?
Label: Yellow Dog Records

The Spankers put on a humorous and entertaining show to be sure and this 2 disc set nicely displays the many facets of this extremely versatile band. Their classics are interspersed with stage banter and stories that round out the live show atmosphere.

The Asylum Street Spankers WebsiteThe Asylum Street Spankers Wiki

Electric Six - Flashy

Electric Six - Flashy

Electric Six
Flashy
Label: Metropolis Records

Elaborating on their past success as bratty retro rock rebels. This time the songs manage to evoke a smoky club filled with crazy kinksters where certain selections come off fresher or staler than others. A mixed bag here.

Electric Six WebsiteElectric Six Wiki

Exciter - Thrash Speed Burn

Exciter - Thrash Speed Burn

Exciter
Thrash Speed Burn
Label: Blistering Records

Refusing to give up or modify their style, these Canadian thrashers have charged up their neck muscles for another go around. Their creative recipe remains mostly unchanged from days gone by: aggressive lyrics taunted by various “evils”  backed with anthemia choruses played over stereotypical thrash grooves.

Exciter WebsiteExciter Wiki

Jimmy

Jimmy "Duck" Holmes - Gonna Get Old Someday

Jimmy "Duck" Holmes
Gonna Get Old Someday
Label: Fat Possum Records

The Blue Front Café was the incubator for this simple smooth flowing style of blues known as the Bentonia Blues style, originated in Bentonia, MS and made famous by Skip James and Jack Owens. This release highlights what this style offers through one of the only known living practitioners.

Jimmy "Duck" Holmes Wiki

Punisher - War Zone - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Punisher - War Zone - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Punisher
War Zone - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Label: Lionsgate

Punctuated by the zesty original Rob Zombie movie theme single and supported with noteworthy tracks released before by 13 other popular metal artists including Slayer, Slipknot, Hatebreed, Seether, and Static-X. Hope the movie is as good as the soundtrack!

The Punisher WebsiteThe Punisher Wiki

Tony Furtado - Deep Water

Tony Furtado - Deep Water

Tony Furtado
Deep Water
Label: Funzalo Records

Furtado is an award winning banjo prodigy and slide guitar player so it comes as no surprise that this release spotlights an entertaining blend of both instruments. The diverse songs are propelled by rich rhythmic undertones with a folksy flair.

Tony Furtado WebsiteTony Furtado Wiki

Tribe After Tribe - M.O.A.B. - Stories from Deuteronomy

Tribe After Tribe - M.O.A.B. - Stories from Deuteronomy

Tribe After Tribe
M.O.A.B. - Stories from Deuteronomy
Label: Rodeostar Records

Intense psychedelic guitars propelled with tribal pulsations are polarized on other tracks by mystical Peter Gabriel-esque ethereal ethno rhythms. Using Biblical alliteration and references they seek to ignite introspection and further research into the dangers, hypocrisies and absurdities of the world’s current belief systems.


Two Left Feet - Two Left Feet

Two Left Feet - Two Left Feet

Two Left Feet
Two Left Feet
Label: Skilletone Records

Self indulgent indie pop rock with a humorous flair. I suspect they put on quite a show for the throngs who appreciate their oft Weezer-esque droll lyrical delivery and sarcastic wit. Sadly, I was not enamored.

Two Left Feet Website

View More

Viewing Page 12 - of 13

‹ First  < 10 11 12 13 >