THE SUBSTITUTES


"The Exploding Plastic Inevitable" (Self-released; 2005)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

"The Exploding Plastic Inevitable" is a breath of fresh air in a rock'n'roll landscape that has all but forgotten groove-laden riffs, smoky vocals and pure, simmering power (as opposed to jackhammer brutality).

The music on "Exploding Plastic" is heavy, intently-paced and packed full of sexy, grinding, buzzing guitars, including some incendiary lead solos. Try to imagine Black Label Society morphed with Fu Manchu and you'll get somewhat of an idea.

The CD runs the gamut from faster-paced, dead-on rockers like "Taken a Lifetime" to the funky "Down on My Lady" to the David Lee Roth-like rants of "God Is Cocaine." The variety of the songs, the strength of the songwriting and the band's tight musicianship easily holds the listener's interest throughout.

You know that I can never pass up the opportunity to throw in a pun, so here goes: When it comes to The Substitutes, there is no substitute!

Okay, maybe I should have stopped while I was ahead.

Buy this record!

The Substitutes: Britt - vocals, bass; Joel Pronto - guitar; Mike McShane - guitar, vocals; Paul Royland - drums, percussion.

For more information, check out www.thesubstitutes.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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Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 04 Mar 2024 14:36:45 -0500 .