900 POUND GORILLA
"900
Pound Gorilla" (Self-produced; 2006)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
900 Pound Gorilla's self-titled debut is good time hard rock with lyrics that are funny and / or thoughtful, music that's jaunty but in no way too poppish and a dynamic attitude that buoys the entire CD. I think it would be impossible to listen to this CD without tapping your toes, banging your head or breaking out in a big smile ... or better yet, all three.
The CD begins with "Gutterball," a song about bowling, and goes from there with songs about lost weekends ("Monday Promises"), being too rich ("Big Fat Limo") and missives to serial killers ("Open Letter to Perspective Serial Killers"). And then, just to close things out properly, the CD ends with a faux commercial for a KISS coffin and an electrifying cover of the classic "Ghostriders in the Sky."
The music here is bright and played well by talented musicians with a keen sense of humor. The combination is an irresistible collection of punkish hard rock tunes that will find their way into your mind and are very hard to get out once there. You won't mind. Not at all.
The band that 900 Pound Gorilla remind me most of is Warner Drive who, as readers of these pages probably know, are one of my favorite bands. 900 Pound Gorilla have the potential to become another.
900 Pound Gorilla: Jeff Edwards - drums, background vocals; Donat Kazarinoff - bass, vocals; John Baker - guitar, vocals.
For more information, check out www.900poundgorilla.com or www.myspace.com/900poundgorilla.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 14 Oct 2024 13:01:57 -0400.
