The Suburban Sound: Through the Bull EP - Page 2

"Bed of Roses" starts slow, with a solid bass that leads the pack and an easy, wandering guitar solo. Again, dual soloing, which adds that Skynyrd atmosphere. The song builds well with the slow start before finally releasing with enthusiastic vocals, grand horns, more soloing. The same plague that reared it's ugly head on "Shadow" again manifests it's self as the chorus repeats too many times. If they had ended the song after the last set of solos, the song would have ended beautifully.

The beginning of "Black Cat" is mediocre, especially compared with the rest of the cd. It is redeemed by having the catchiest chorus on the EP. Then track five, "The Fight," starts smoothly and almost subconsciously. Another ass jiggle beginning marks it's start where it blasts right into the chorus. The verse features more dual guitar soloing, only in an off beat way. Then things shift direction and there is a distorted, robotic-like voice and... a power drill run through a guitar pickup? Things start to blitz as the vocals start getting shouted through a bullhorn. And it all ends with a phone dial tone.

For an independently released album, the major question is often the production. While good production can't save already bad songs, bad production can ruin the best of songs. I had been fairly familiar with the songs since Andy had brought rough mixes in to work. Of course, the computer speakers and quieter volume required for the work environment don't exactly bring out the best in sound. I was very pleased when I put the cd in my home cd player with headphones. The sound was huge. Everything was mixed so that nothing stuck out like a sore thumb or hidden from hearing. Probably one of the best produced independent release albums I've heard.

If you like rock n roll, go to The Suburban Sound web page, www.thesuburbansound.com. There is contact info there if you want to pick up the cd.

Article Author: The Theory

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