My little mini-description really says it all but should have ended in "Hmmm... Where have I heard this before? Oh yeah! Pretty much the entire Man's Ruin catalog!" So, on Friday night me and Ms Two Tub were having a conversation while I spun some new hardcore platters. It was basically about how most music these days sucks wang because the only stuff these friggin bands listen to is the bands they wanna sound like. They don't seem to understand that it's the outside influences that make good music possible in the world of ever expanding genre slots. Instead of going for the gusto and adding from unexpected sources they draw off their favorite bands because it's all they know.

This would be a fine example of that malady. It's acceptable stoner rock in a "Vol 4" kinda way (well, at least the more rock-based parts of it) but minus all the SABS prog and jazz fusion goodness. The vocalist sounds like 100 other "powerful" vocalists for this type of music but with some attempts at putting Robert Plant styled high end into it. Maybe I'm being over judgmental here but, somehow, I just don't think so.

It's missing key ingredients that I look for when I select things to listen to. I've said it a hundred times over and I'll say it again because it bears repeating: I'll take wild abandon and musical naivety over some workers looking for a check. I want your guts! Every fucking time! And, contrary to popular opinion, this is not limited to my famed forte of punk rock and trashy rock 'n roll. I don't care if it's THELONIOUS MONK or the latest in metal. If you don't make me feel your conviction then it's trash bin bound. Speaking of which, it's time I took the trash out. Good night.

- Two Tub Tony

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