NAILBITER
"Six
Degrees" (Self-produced; 1998)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Nailbiter was the follow-up band to Baltimore, Maryland favorites Gunga Din and Phineas Gage. Nailbiter is best summarized by the term "post-grunge" in its earliest incarnation. As such, Nailbiter comes across as stylistically between a grunge-lite band and middle-of-the-road rock in the vein of Flight 16. "Six Degrees" was the only by-product of Nailbiter's short life.
A lot of the musical motifs conjure images of U2's Edge-like echoes especially on the track "Safari." Atmospheric vibes also make a big chunk of the band's sound as exemplified by "Drip, Drip, Drip" which received quite a bit of local and regional airplay.
A little bit of Layne Staley can be heard in Mike Raymond's voice - somewhat comforting and a bit unnerving as Staley had recently passed away when I began writing this review.
"Six Degrees" is not a bad record by any stretch of the imagination, but it just doesn't have the grit and heaviness that Rough Edge readers are looking for.
Nailbiter is Mike Raymond on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Dave Lindebaum on lead guitar and backing vocals, John Talbert on bass and backing vocals, and Ken Zubrun on drums and backing vocals.
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.
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