Ok, so before I tell you to go out and buy this disc - and I will, 'cause I loved it- Let me grind a little axe of mine. It's a chick thing, so bear with me. These guys are good - you can stay for a little story. So it's 19-- whatever, and I'm on my way home for work, when I decide I just have to see if this record store has this new band called Guns 'n' Roses. I'm holding the album (yep, one of those big vinyl babies) in my hand trying to decide if I really want to spend my hard-earned cash on yet another bunch of loud little boys. Then I turned it over. Hair. Ink. Biceps. Hell, Yeah! SOLD! The moral of that story is put a freaking picture of the band on the thing where I can actually see who you are. You don't have to be pretty, but I like to know who's singing to me. Fortunately, we now have the internet, so I know I would, indeed, go out of my way to see them. Yeah, yeah, I'm a groupie, I'm a bitch, it shouldn't matter, whatever, it's business... Now, back to the band...
This is a solid collection that shows quite a range of styles in the tunes, the performance and even in the mix. It reminds me of hearing my first KiSS album — not too sure whether I like some of the lyrics, but a solid groove, good backing vocals and a sense of fun. The tunes show a variety of influences, from early metal to punk to alternative, and I particularly like the guitar work, which sort of tells a sassy second story behind the melody. He's relentless on "Girls Got". I'll bet these guys slam live.
The KISS vibe comes from the first track, "Forever is Rock 'n' Roll" and it was actually my least favorite. If you're going to start out with a rock anthem, try a little harder to say something new. I still liked it, I just hate it when a perfectly good line goes "Bon Jovi" on me, as if it started out with a really fresh idea, and I'm digging it and then they said "fuck it" and fell back on a cliche. Lyric Interruptus. What saved the track is the backing vocals. I know I'm being repetitive, but there was something I really liked about them. They're still in my head, the way a good hook should be. Their harmonies have an addictive "betcha can't eat just one" quality .
My favorite tune on the CD is "Soak in the Vibe" because there's a guitar riff in it that hurts so good I just have to keep playing it.
"Wake Up Theo" will be the most ubiquitous tune in history not written by Rob Thomas if there's any justice in this world. I can't tell you what I liked about it because it's ALL good. The tune, the words, the rocking - not like "that rocks", though it does, but like a rocking chair, a wicked sexy back and forth that makes you want to... Let's just say the rhythm section is brutal and leave it at that.
There's one acoustic number called "Back Together" that you'd swear is the best lost track the Byrds never recorded, mostly because of the mix and the vocals, which I loved. I'm repeating myself again, but I'm really surprised at how much I enjoyed this puppy. The last track, "Fall" is awesome - G 'n' R for the 21st Century. What can I say - it's already on the girl's iPod. You gotta get it.
Morgaine SwannThe Goddess * What She Said!
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
very nice job Morgaine, glad you liked it. Thanks!
2 - Shannon
ACS do kick ass live. I've seen them half a dozen times at least. They're really nice awesome guys and really support music. Some of the sweetest rock stars you would ever want to meet. This summer the day before Warped Tour they hosted this amazing concert in Seattle where like a dozen local bands played and lots of kids that couldn't afford the obscene price of a warped ticket went to that show. It was off the hook.