Bite Me! CD Reviews G - R

Goon Moon – Licker’s Last Leg (Ipecac)

A super group of sorts, Goon Moon features Chriss Goss (QOTSA producer and vox of Masters of Reality) and Jeordie White (aka Twiggy of Marilyn Manson fame now in Nine Inch Nails).  Zach Hill (Hella), Josh Homme (QOTSA), and Josh Freese also contributed to the album’s tracks.  Twiggy has penned various Manson hits and Chriss is known as the godfather of Desert rock, so one wouldn’t be surprised to find that the songs sound like a poppier version of those composed by Queens of The Stone Age.  Licker’s Last Leg is an eclectic mix of stoner rock jams and spaced out musings.  At first you are not really sure what to think, but as time goes on you realize that it is an interesting record in a good way.  For instance, “Tip-Toe” centers on a good ole boy Southern rhythm.  The psychedelic trippy vibe of “Pin Eyed Boy” calls to mind the likes of the Pixies and Curve.  “Balloon?”  is just a great track, and the “Entertaining the Golden Ball” begins as a roundabout and changes direction with every chapter – eight pieces in all comprise this one tune.  Odd as it may be, Licker’s Last Leg is a musically tight record that proves it’s sometimes good to expand your horizons.  -NIN

Haste The Day – Pressure The Hinges (Solid State )

Pressure The Hinges is Haste The Day’s first release with new vocalist Stephen Keech.  Offering a bit more variety than past efforts, the metal Christiancore’s third release maintains the band’s trade mark riffs and machine gun breakdowns.  There are more striking melodies to be found amongst the rich blend of musical and strong vocals.  However, the occasional death growl is thrown in to ensure credibility.  Standouts: “Chorus of Angels,” “Stitches,” and the title track, which sums up the band in a nut shell.  -NIN

Hayseed Dixie - A Hot Piece Of Grass (Cooking Vinyl) 1/2

Taking hard rock tunes and giving them a bluegrass twist is an inspired idea perhaps bordering on genius.  This quartet, led by John Wheeler, aka Barley Scotch, does not disappoint on that.  Whether it's tackling classics by Sabbath or Zeppelin or even more recent tunes by Green Day, the group takes the arrangement and brings them up to a level well above novelty status.  It's a shame the originals (of which half the record is) just don't hold up to that status.  Bluegrass songs about weirdos in the sticks, pot, and moonshine just seem forced and don't have the same hooks that the covers do.  Placed next to the classic songs these originals just can't hold a candle to it.  It may be difficult for the group to be pigeonholed as a covers band, but they really ought to stick to what they do best because that is pretty damn enjoyable.  -Repojay

High Priestess (High Priestess Productions)

High Priestess (or Regan or Advanced Bliss or I'm not sure as she's billed as all names in various places) bills herself as a 21st century traditional goth singer.  Which is fine and well and good.  The bulk of the songs are standard issue goth-meets-madrigal/newage-etherealness.  But then there's a song that could be tuned down slightly and sung by Norah Jones.  And then there's the abysmal, inexplicable Blondie cover of "Rapture" at the end that is so bombastic it feels like it came from another galaxy.  Never mind the fact that this has been done many times before and much better.  This High Priestess needs to figure out which musical religion she truly wishes to reign over.  -Repojay

House Of Heroes - Say No More (Mono Vs. Stereo Records)

This Columbus based trio basically decided to amalgamate every bit of modern rock heroics from the past decade into one band and layer God on top of it.  The resulting excrement is as bland as you might expect it to be.  The group basically does the impossible by dulling down the edges so much that it becomes difficult to remember or care about the music mere moments after you hear it.  These are no heroes; they're just your normal average everyday rock citizens.  -Repojay

Jetliner – Space Station (Oaktree Records)

Jetliner—a five piece from L.A.—is another retro throwback that proudly wear their influences on their sleeves.  With a flair for all things 70’s, Space Station is an enjoyable listen that is far from dated.  Opener, “Entity,” bears a resemblance to Queens “Fat Bottom Girls”.  The next tune, “Lush” is also reminiscent of early Queen with its plush piano accompaniments and sweet harmonies.  It doesn’t end there, as the Queen influence comes out big on “Keep ‘n On”.  It’s hard not to sing along to the catchy “The Reaction”.  The title track—sounding straight out of a musical—will also have you humming.  These skilled musicians also managed to conjure up a cool cover of Bowie’s “Life on Mars”.  After just one listen it is easy to see why this melodic pop-rock outfit is causing quite a stir.  They found their niche and they do it well.  Space Station is a modern alternative for the classic rock fan who is craving something new.  -NIN  

Kaddisfly - Set Sail The Prairie (Sub City Records)

I think that Kaddisfly created this record solely so I could call their bluff.  Too often I despise albums that are just groups of songs thrown together for no other purpose than to make an album.  Then I can't stand groups that don't challenge the norm and try to make something different.  Then, try and find a band that also gives back to a good cause.  Kaddisfly's new record has me on all counts.  They've created a 70 minute concept album around a year cycle, with one song for each month and an additional song for the summer & winter solstices.  Their art-rock leanings are far more original than most other bands who attempt to do something different, and 5% of the album sales go to the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation.  How can I not like this record?  Well, it feels like it SHOULD be right, but just somehow misses in being a total slam dunk for me.  For starters, why is the “May” song 11 minutes long?  I give them points because I should like this more than I actually do, but I doubt I'll want to come back and listen to this disc again.  Damn you Kaddisfly -- we were this close.  -Repojay

Karnivool – Themata (Bieler Brothers Records) 1/4

Australia’s Karnivool burst onto the scene about 9 years ago.  Since then the band released a few EP’s and gained a devoted following.  In 2006, after a line-up change, a full-length record finally saw the light of day.  Themata finds the Ausie rockers shedding their nü-metal skin in favor of a more diverse heavy rock sound.  Perhaps it was the line- up change or an accumulation of experience that contributed to the group’s new found musical maturity.  On Themata multilayered melodies are paired with changing time structures and soaring harmonies.  It’s not all melodic as there is plenty of aggression going around.  They just don’t over do it.  “Scarabs,” “Shutterspeed,” and “Fear of the Sky” will rock the house.  The boys lay down the funk in “Roquefort” and the acoustic “Sewn and “Silent” shows off the band’s softer side.  Karnivool are serious about their music, and Themata is the catalyst that will take them to the next level. -NIN

Khoiba – Nice Traps (StreetBeat) 1/2

Bjork meets Bertine meets Morcheeba meets Ruby.  Yup, there are that many strong female vocalists in this area of electronica – some heavy competition here!  Less ambient than some, but not as rocking as others, Khoiba brings a heartfelt voice to the herd.  “Pure Hands” is a really enjoyable track, however, I found many of the other songs to rely a little too heavily on the keyboards/computer generated/electronica aspect instead of bringing more complimentary instrumentation into the mix.  She does have an good voice that is quite compelling as a centerpiece, and the songwriting is good for the genre.  Khoiba is enjoyable as background music, but somewhat repetitive if actively listening.  –J

K. Johnson, Esq. – Drown Out How You Live (Self-Released) 1/2

Marilyn Manson – Eat Me Drink Me (Interscope) 1/4

Monster In The Machine – Butterfly Pinned (Emotional Syphon Recordings) 1/2

Oh No Not Stereo (Take Over Records) 3/4

Queens of The Stone Age – Era Vulgaris (rekordsrekords / Interscope) 3/4

Red - End of Silence (Essential Records) 1/4