Small Stone bands are getting to be pretty identifiable. If it's a new band with a straight up rock feel with a dash of southern influence, chances are, they're signed to Small Stone. With a strong stable of bands that includes the BROUGHT LOW, ANTLER, DIXIE WITCH, HONKY, and SASQUATCH; does the latest GLASSPACK record have what it takes to stand out from the (glass) pack?

Well, if you're a fan of the aforementioned bands, you'll probably come away disappointed by "Dirty Women," (ladies, I am NOT talking about you.) The generic nature of the album title really threatens to suit the music. The 'PACK adorns their punky garage rock with more than their share of the required southern influence. The good news is: these guys ain't a bunch of Yankees fakin' it. These guys hail from Kentucky, so they are the real deal. They've also got the nice, dirty production that this music requires down pat, so all the makings for a great record are all there.

So what went wrong? I think the problem lies with the songwriting. The tunes all go in one ear and out the other. Check out the verse-chorus-verse-chorus monotony of instrumentals "Fastback," and "Super Sport" for the most frustrating examples of a band wasting its talents. Was GLASSPACK vocalist/guitarist/head-honcho "Dirty" Dave Johnson too busy at the strip club to be bothered to write some lyrics for these tunes? Likely. These would be great bonus tracks for the 25th anniversary "Dirty Women" reissue, but serve no purpose as album tracks. The start/stop nature of the wonderfully titled "Ice Cream, But No Reply," wears out its welcome at the second go-around, but does feature a cool unaccompanied guitar solo at the end (remember those?) Some nifty Moog effects and fleet-fingered fretwork save "Louisiana Strawberry" from becoming just another brainless boogie-rock rave-up. If the GLASSPACK employed the same sense of adventure on the whole album that they show us on this track, we might have a classic on our hands

The band has good energy and authenticity, but that doesn't change the fact that groups like this are getting to be a dime a dozen. If this came out 5-10 years ago, jaws would be hitting the floor. Now, in this post NASHVILLE PUSSY world, it's starting to sound a little tired.

- Broadbent

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/kentuckymotherfuckers

RELATED ITEMS: GLASSPACK - "Bridgeburner", 2004