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HEADCHARGER
www.headcharger.com
In this, my first year of reviewing, I've witnessed albums that I should have loved disappoint the crap out of me, whilst those I should have despised win me over completely. And yet, whilst reviewing the latest CD by Headcharger, I find myself baffled for perhaps the first time; I still don't know as I write this whether I love it or hate it. Here we have a band that sounds at times like a magnificent Corrosion of Conformity cum Queens of the Stone Age southern-desert-rock orgy then, for no discernible reason, they turn into a pastiche of The Murderdolls. They don't do either style particularly badly as it happens, it's just one of them doesn't really float my boat. Talking of pastiche, I'm sure that 'Every Tick of the Clock' has a riff lifted directly from 'Albatross' from COC's 'Deliverance' album. I've since learned (having scoured the internet) that Headcharger are from France, which makes the southern rock/sludge influence all the more surprising and refreshing. After all, COC are all but a spent force, and Queens seem to have been on musical self-destruct since 'Songs for the Deaf'. Kudos to Headcharger then that they pull it off very well. It's only the addition of the glam/sleaze elements that stop this being a veritable ear-feast. That could say more for my tastes than the effectiveness of the material of course. And I do think that the songs on offer here are very well written and performed; I just wish they would focus on the southern/desert material more. This is an intriguing album from start to finish, and one which may divide opinion depending on which side of the musical fence you sit. Those lucky to enjoy both styles however will find much to love here.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Customcore Records
Album
WATCH THE SUN
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Review by Steve Cowan
RUNNING TIME:
45:31
RELEASE DATE:
5th October 2007
TRACK LISTING
1) You Wanna Dance You Gotta Pay The Band
2) On The Prowl
3) Every Trick Of The Clock
4) Up To You
5) Do You Think Of Me
6) Get Naked
7) The Price To Pay
8) Bill Murray's Syndrome
9) Adrift
10) Waste Your Time
11) Flood The Air
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
France
"It's only the addition of the glam/sleaze elements that stop this being a veritable ear-feast."