Rough Edge: Raging Slab CD Reviews

RAGING SLAB

"The Dealer" (Tee Pee Records, 2001)

RAGING SLAB are one of the pioneers of what's come to be known as the "stoner rock" sound and one quick listen to their new CD, "The Dealer," will make that abundantly clear. First, the guitars all have that trademark stoner fuzz sound to them and, second - well, the album's entitled "The Dealer."

Unfortunately, the songs here are a bit too slow-paced and too bland for my taste. Each song sounds virtually like the last, down to its vocal performance and its tempo. Hence, "The Dealer" winds up sounding like one looong song rather than a the 16 that are listed on its label. I'm sure there are nuances here if you care to listen carefully; this record, however, doesn't make we want to do that.

"The Dealer" isn't a bad CD, it just isn't a very remarkable one. That being said, fans of stoner rock will no doubt find it entertaining and Raging Slab does have their place in history.

Raging Slab is: Greg Strzempka - guitar, vocals; Elyse Steinman - slide guitar and vocals; Alec Morton - bass; Rob Cournoyer - drums. Dale Crover and Phil Ondich also provide some drum work.

For more information, please visit http://www.ragingslab.com or http://www.teepeerecords.com.

"Dynamite Monster Boogie Concert" (Def American Records; 1993)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

Raging Slab may be considered one of the innovators of the "stoner" rock sound, but you'd never know it from "Dynamite Monster Boogie Concert," a collection of tunes that range from the harder edged Lynyrd Skynyrd style to that of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

There are hints of stoner rock in the CD's first track, "Anywhere But Here," but the standout tracks on "Boogie Concert" (which, by the way, is NOT a live album) are tracks like "So Help Me," with its banjo-led down home feel and "Take A Hold" which could almost have been an Eagles tune at one time.

Most of the tracks here are heavier than the two aforementioned songs but don't expect anything along the lines of Pantera or Fu Manchu. Instead, think more along the lines of the Black Crowes. The good news is that "Boogie Concert" has a lot more variety than the band's "The Dealer" which followed eight years later.

Raging Slab: Greg Strzempka - guitar, vocals, slide guitar, banjo, mandolin; Elyse Steinman - slide guitar, vocals, lap steel; Alec Morton - bass; Mark Middlton - lead guitar, slide guitar and vocals; Paul Sheehan - drums, cymbals.

For more information, please visit http://www.ragingslab.com.

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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