Cook's raucous take on "Fixin' To Die" shows his mastery of incessant, scratchy electricity. By contrast, the satisfying, seven-minute-long "Trick Bag," an original, demonstrates his sensitivity to the importance of empty space, something young performers don't usually develop so early in their careers.
Cook sings with the mix of grimness and sensitivity that the material demands, but tries too hard to sound like an older man, putting too much force into his baritone. It makes him sound a little like one of the Eddie Vedder imitators who crawled onto the music scene in the 1990s. It doesn't detract from the louder songs like "Fixin' To Die," but drags down the trance and country blues numbers.
Still, though he would be more convincing if he relaxed his voice some, Cook's fine guitar work and top-notch material make this CD a very worthwhile listen. Eli Cook is a talent to reckon with.
Hear extended samples at CD Baby.
Scotty Don't, Scotty Don't
This twenty-minute EP rips through a quick survey of pop styles. "Back Porch" has a 1970s classic rock jam vibe. "When I Say" starts as a not very original reggae jam a la Bob Marley's "Is This Love," but then bursts into a punked-up ska-rock section that somehow makes perfect sense. "...Different Kind" suggests James Gang grooviness, and "Punk Rock Lullaby" is exactly that. "Everything's Alright" goes back to the loose 70s flavor of the opening track, and the EP ends with a spacey-cool, acoustic miniature about being busted for smoking dope.
The trio is the original project of Badfish, a bizarrely successful Sublime tribute band. Given that genesis, it's not surprising that their strong points include high quality songwriting, tight vocal harmonies, and a light touch. I don't know to what extent the harmonies can be reproduced at a live show. But the band's combination of bubbly enthusiasm and sneaky craft make their new project eminently worth checking out.
Hear several tracks at Scotty Don't's Myspace page.
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