Touted as JOSIAH frontman Mat Bethancourt's side project, this debut release is good enough to stand on it's own two feet. It reeks with all the best aspects of heavy 70’s psych-rock and simultaneously picks up where KYUSS left off in the 90s. There is a huge dose of early MONSTER MAGNET on this disc. In fact, the variety of guitar tones and song structures reminds me a lot of the the “Dopes To Infinity” period.

Despite the comparisons with other bands and time periods, THE KINGS OF FROG ISLAND add a fresh twist to the so-called stoner rock sound. Their blend of the 70s sound with the newer typical stoner rock is a cut above the rest. The incorporation of some amazing, mind twisting wah work makes for a compelling listen, and some of the tones that emanate from the guitar are just damn sweet! The transitions between trippy mellow almost dreamlike moments into blistering fuzzed-out gargantuan riffs are enough to make a grown man cry with joy. (There you go emo kids, you don’t have to listen to shit to get emotional. Check out this cd!)

Song number three, "Leone" is a mellow instrumental ditty that I think breaks up the rock just a little too early. At this stage of the album I am not quite ready for a breather and want to keep rocking. "Leone" is a nice piece, but I think it would serve the flow of the album better if it were placed closer to the end. Really, that's my only petty criticism, and it means that all in all this album is a little ripper!

This disc has no weak tracks -- everyone is a winner. It is a pleasure to listen to and is one of the best things that I have heard so far this year. For fans of MONSTER MAGNET, KYUSS, SOUNDGARDEN, MUDHONEY, BLUE CHEER, HENDRIX and BLACK SABBATH...that is everybody isn’t it? So everybody check this album out.

- Saltry

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/thekingsoffrogisland

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