X-HEADZ
"Dirty
Pounding Gasoline" (Locomotive; 2004)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
A cursory listen to "Dirty Pounding Gasoline" will have you wondering why the band is on Locomotive Records instead of Wind-up Records. Much of X-headz's sound shares common ties with such popular Wind-up bands as Creed, 12 Stone and, now, Alter Bridge rather than the classic rock sounds of, say, Locomotive's Sex Museum.
But closer and subsequent listening will expose Xheadz's rougher side, a side that's not so much harder than the previously named bands, but - as I said - rougher. There's a raw power to Xheadz that Creed and the others lack, an edge whose absence leads some to despise those other bands rather than embrace them.
The best track on the CD is probably the track that will first draw your attention when reading the tracklisting. "Motorjesus" is a fast-paced, energetically throbbing rockfest that sounds a little like stoner rock on a caffeine high. "Nitro" has a great Sabbath-like riff that raises it up a notch. The CD's sole ballad, "Burning," works pretty well, too, sacrificing the radio airplay clichés and delivering a simmering heat all its own.
X-headz don't break any new ground but they don't fall into the spongerock category either ... and that's always a good thing.
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.
