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BAND:The Scars
TITLE: The Scars
ON: Self Released

   These guys didn't bother to reinvent the wheel. The overall sound is a familiar punk one but they stay sharp and simple and pull out a very appealing effort. The lyrics are about friends, home, drink, and the music. They do have a song about war called God Bless the USA. In the sixties rock took on the war, it's nice to see it being done again.
   I find myself being drawn in by the singers' rough and trustful voice and giving this CD multiple listens.
   The instruments are loud yet crisp. This is another good recording from Stoughton's Outpost.

BAND:The Prime Movers
TITLE: Back in Line
ON: Self Released
Online: www.myspace.com/theprimemoversgo

   This CD marked the reemergence of the Prime Movers after a decade of inactivity. They say it's the album they should have put out back then and they are right. After hearing it it's hard to see how they could have missed, they command this garage/Mod ground and never make a misstep.
   They power straight ahead through the tunes using just enough production to make it interesting. My fave is King of the World which has a touch of trumpet in it. The CD ends with the best of them all, the wailing, stomping - Where It's At.    This is self released and if you don't get it soon you will have missed out again. Right now try Newbury Comics.

    There is an uber-story here and it's about Rayboy Fernandes. Rayboy did a legendary stint as drummer for the Atlantics, later he reinvented himself running a studio and producing rap acts and did very well there too. As the rap acts died down he was talking around town about getting back into rock and here this is. He corralled some 16 local rock acts (some via the Noise Board) and got then into his studio for one song each. So, we get to hear some current groups and see how Rayboy can record and produce them.
    Turns out it’s all good news. The groups are mainly a cross section of hard working acts who gig regularly and are very good and Rayboy does a great production job. This is a kick ass collection. One thing a like about the whole collection is the vocal levels which are spot on and the mix is thick but crisp. Nice job by the Rayboy.
    The first 5 songs out of the gate are all good rockers that set the standard (by Noble Rot, The Tenafly Vipers, The New Frustrations, Egoscene, and the Acro-Brats) and are worthy of multiple listens right off the bat.
Then a song in a pop vein by Mercy James Gang for a change up and the traditional tune Drunken Sailor by Three Day Threshold were they shine and show why they deserve the attention they get.
    Two live groups I love come next The Doom Buggies and Girl On Top. Girl on Top does Superman a nicely arranged effort that is so well developed that it sounds like a cover song, and oh so catchy.
    Nikki Core has a great persona and scores with a Quatro/Jett syle rocker (with Rayboy on drums, never a bad thing.)
    The McGunks' Whiskey in a Bottle is a winner; a staggering, lilting, sing-a-long to heavy drinking and the curb you end up sleeping in. Zippo Raid does something similar with At The Bar punctuated with Oi, Oi, Oi.
    Oh my god, what a great offensive song Nothing gets off called Woo Dog. It's a dirty, nasty, puerile ditty about Massholes that I listen to with glee but maybe it's too much for you? But try.
    Over the Edge, Rock City Crimewave and The Illegals put in good rockers on par with everything here. Indeed there is a standard that no one goes below, which is Rayboy the producer cracking the whip I’m sure.
    This is a good snapshot of the scene now and in that way would be good for out of towners who want to know what we are listening to around Boston these days. Plenty of songs for airplay too, I hope you DJ’s get on this. If you’re a group looking for a studio give this a listen. Rayboy the producer is back rockin' and recording.

BAND: THE MEOWS
TITLE: At the Top of the Bottom
ON: No Tomorrow Records NT067 - 2005
CONTACT:www.themeows.com

Kittenish Miss Lyn returned from a recent trip to Spain purring about her latest euro discovery... The Meows. The Meows (all boy) line up: Francis (vox), Javi (guitar), Enric (guitar), Jaime (bass) and Foll (drums/maracas). These cats unleash an original litter of 1966-style, dancefloor shakin' nuggetrock that gets exciting results. Every tune had me doing the jerk, the swim and even mashing some potatoes in the corner. "Soulbreaker" with it's Shindig drum breaks and Mark Lindsay (Raiders)-style sing/shouting really got me hot. These guys know how to play anything. As long as it has three chords and a beat you can dance to. Francis sings all 13 tunes (all but two clocking in under 3 minutes) in english and The Meows would sound right at home rocking at the Abbey Lounge on a bill with w/ Coffin Lids, Aram Heller and Monoman. Recorded expertly at Ultramarinos Costa Brava Studio in sunny San Feliu Spain. Sweet production by the Meows and Santi Garcia. This is one fancy feast I'm glad I didn't miss.

Cowboy's picks to click: Soulbreaker, 1966, This Man's Crazy
Cowboy score: 874

BAND: MR.CURT ENSEMBLE
TITLE: Ability and Desire
ON: Lowbudget Records - 2006
CONTACT: www.lowbudgetrecords.com

This is a fun record. I have been digging Ability and Desire all summer and it keeps sounding better and better with each spin. I've followed Mr. Curt's career since his days rocking the underground with Pastiche, but his newest cd really blew me away with what sounds to me like a complex Pet Sounds type production. We get 10 songs with freewheeling Zappa-esque arrangements and crisp performances from a pile of great musicians. Ten intricate and clever tunes that mix cabaret, lounge, minstrel, pop and jazz styles together into a simmering soundstew. Mr. Curt (Naihersey) co-wrote the colourul songs and leads his Ensemble on guitar and vocals. Solo vocals are also handled by standout talent Cathy Batscha. She also plays keys. The Ensemble also spotlights Sven Larson (bass) Dave Kulik (drums) Jan White ( percussion), Cliff Tetle (clarinet), Mike Macrides (electronic drums), Ruby Bird Mason ( accordian,harmonica, & percussion), Ramona Silver (vocals), Ron Marinick (keys) and Doctor X (synth trumpet). Mr. Curt's posse keeps the swinging groove going throughout. This cd is very easy to listen to, although I wouldn't dismiss it as easy listening music. Bravo to producer Mr. Curt and Bill Mason who expertly handled the recording at Second Story Studio in Roslindale.

Cowboy's picks to click: Doggytown, Sluggo Goes Blotto, Iron Man in the Winter Sea, Mountains and Hills
Cowboy Score: 865

BAND: DIN
TITLE:Longhair Music
WHEN: 2005
CONTACT:www.dinrock.com

Longhair Music is a surefooted follow up to Din's excellent "High End" from '03. I hear the band flexing even more muscle this time around. Lead off track "Fly On the Wall" (not the AC/DC song) reminds me of "Electric" era Cult with its strutting rhythm and some damn fine sounding guitar. Din downshifts into the next cut "Funny Man" with a lusher sound and some inventive instrumentation. Lead vocals on all of these 10 catchy songs are shared by keyboardist Carlene Barous and guitarist Glenn Steadman who take turns singing the lead vocals and sometimes sing together. The album is well paced and swings back and forth between the female and male voices while songs alternate dynamically from hard rock to some mellower modes. Some of the songs remind me of things I was hearing out of NYC between 1975 and 77. Din goes Blondie on the brief "Grable" with Carlene recalling a breathy Debby Harry. Singer Steadman digs in his heels on "Lady Killer". I enjoy hearing Steadman most when he drops into this more affected Iggy Pop vocal mode. Masterful fretman Bart LoPiccolo gets great guitar tone throughout the session and sly drummer Bob Palumbo is absolutely propulsive. Longhair Music was recorded at Wooly Mammoth Sound and was produced by Din and David Minehan.

Cowboy's picks to click: Stoned, Devil's Advocate, Closes
Cowboy Score: 850

   30 years into this game of Boston Punk Survivor and Fox Pass Outlasts, Outplays, and Outwrites the competition. 2006 and we finally get the first Fox Pass album and it is a sweet success. They have released a generous heaping of pop tunes; ringing 12 strings throughout.
   Punk you can power-house through and come off just fine, pop music however, requires a few tricks. Macey and crew have the chest of chords, lyrics and musical twists that good pop needs. At alternate times during a song. I'm captured by a melody, a guitar riff, a lyric or the sound of the instruments: it's an embarrassment of riches
    Child's Play is so good I keep playing it over and over and never getting to the rest of the CD. The song signals the CD's strengths: group vocals, clean ringing guitar tones, strong melody, and solidly written material.
   Hit or Miss has this over the top lyric treat.:
The twist
Is like this,
The cold kiss
From your lips
Always is,
Hit or miss.
    Michael Roy tops of Hit or Miss with an exiting solo with a gritty tone that almost steals the song.
   If you can resist the 12 sting intro to Saturday Girl you're a better person than I. I get pulled in and pine for that Saturday girl myself. The song is a real highlight both here and played live.
    Other favorites are Here Comes the Karma and You Don't' Know Me.
   It is gratifying to see the CD getting attention from places like Kool Kat Musik and Not Lame which are outlets for current pop. It proves that Fox Pass fit in just fine in 2006. How amazing is that? Full of talent and a real work ethic it's going to be fun to see where they are going.

MEET MACH 5
BY NOODLES ROMANOV

BAND: MACH 5
TITLE: MEET MACH 5
ON: LAWLESS RECORDS, 2005
CONTACT: LawlessRecordsRock@yahoo.com
Lawless Records, PO Box 689 Hingham, MA 02043-0689

Here I am, comfortably ensconsed in my Dorito-encrusted e-z chair, gettin my cerebral exercise watchin' Pat Sajak cause there's nuthin on the radio. A continuous drone of the doorbell forces me to unencumber myself of my beloved throne.
I'm hoping it's the UPS gentleman, delivering the cheese sandwich bearing the image of Michael Jackson that I won on ebay. But, no. It's my weird next-door neighbor. "Here, this came to my address by accident. Hey, is that my daughter next to that Dorito bag?" Oops. "Phone's ringin, gotta go". Slam.
Time to turn off Mr. Sajak, and turn my attention to the CD player, cause the new Mach 5 CD, "Meet Mach 5", has arrived!
Indeed, Mach 5 has arrived.
There is so much to say about this CD, I could spew on for days. But I don't want any of you to become derelict in your duties because of me, so I will get right to it.
I keep listening to this CD over and over, for one simple reason. It ROCKS!
Before gettin into the subject of talented musicians, I feel compelled to credit Producer Richard Marr and the Galaxy Park Studios. I take my ski mask off to them, cause the sound on this CD is nothing short of rabid! The guitar sound... man, I think it was developed in some secret lab at Los Alamos. Close your eyes and you can imagine the orange glow of tubes from 100 angry Marshall stacks, straining to record a guitar sound that will tear your headphones into tiny bits. The mix is just the way I like it - the guitars are way up, and the vocal is ever so slightly buried. In my humble opinion, this is the way a genuine rock CD should be mixed, cause it sounds like a band, instead of a singer with a band behind him. If you have to struggle even just a little bit to hear the vocals, you are more likely to pay attention to them. Maybe even pick up some of the smart, clever, and sometimes funny lyrics that are strewn about these tunes.
A lengthy treatise could be written just about the cover of this CD, but I will address one salient feature: "America's Newest Hitmakers!" blares the headline in living black and white. Hmmm. It may not be entirely serious, but still a bold claim, even for a band consisting of highly accomplished veteran rockers, led by a Boston rock icon. I am pleased to announce that, like a full FedEx truck plunging off a cliff, these guys deliver - hard! There are three great cover tunes on this CD, but it's the original compositions that I want to address, because they are the ones that really make you want to jump up and dance around your puny dorm room (apartment? tent? cell?) in a 70s style hard-rock induced spastic frenzy. After the first tune, "Get It Up", had finished, I thought "Holy ringing ears... they put the best song on first! The rest is gonna suck by comparison". Not so, dear rockers. The hits continue. As each original tune finished, I started thinkin "the next one can't possibly be better"... but it is. My personal favorites are "Through To You", "Quincy Girl" ( a tune that I DEFY you not to sing along with in the car..."Shut your pie-hole, Quincy girl!"), and a song penned from the heart called "Kenmore Square", a lament about the long-gone Kenmore Square of rock legend history.
This CD has enough hooks, harmony vocals, and three-chord nastiness to make anyone who craves some real rock injections to be utterly satisfied. Power drummer Jimmy Birmingham, twelve-string bassist Jeff Thomas, thrash guitarist Dee "Wild Man of Borneo" Stroy and beltsander-voiced Mach Bell have created a band that has more chemistry than MIT.
For anyone who thinks Mach reached his musical pinnacle with Thundertrain or Joe Perry, I've got front-page news for you. He's still climbing.

"Meet Mach 5" is a CD that grabs you by the neck, shakes you, and says "Shut off the damn radio!"
Play it often, and play it loud!

Noodles Romanov

BAND:THE NERVOUS RETURN
TITLE: Wake Up Dead
ON: Salle Records 2004
CONTACT: thenervousreturn.com

A prolific quartet out of LA. This is the follow-up to their debut album Headshots, the cover of which was a "headshot" of a young lady aiming a pistol into her mouth.
The music on Wake Up Dead is more rock than rock'n'roll. The jangling electric guitars and stacked vocals by Jason Muller (guitar) and Anthony Crouse (bass) remind me of David Bowie's experimental Tin Machine. Modern euro-influenced rock.
Shane Gallagher on guitar and Greg Gordon on drums are on the money as is the entire production, credited to the band. These guys have returned to the studio already with producer Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, Weezer).
Apparently they have a nice buzz going on in SoCal. Still, after multiple listenings this one doesn't really rock me. I think I gotta check them out live.
Picks to Click: Red Camaro, Dramahead
Cowboy Score: 680

BAND: The Adolescents
TITLE: OC CONFIDENTIAL
ON: Finger Records
CONTACT: www.theadolescents.com

This album rocks like crazy. Our editor sent this one to me just before I left for my traditional Christmas trip to Malibu. I cranked it up everytime I cruised up the PCH.
This Southern Cal quartet features ex-members of Social Distortion and Agent Orange. Singer, lyricist Tony Reflex delivers on 13 skatepark approved rockers. Dig the opening line of title track OC Confidential: "I grew up in Orange County in the shadow of a mouse".
Ripping punk guitar and bass work from Frank Agnew and Steve Soto support Reflex's big hooks and melodies. I found it impossible to resist singing along to "California Son". Produced and engineered by the Adolescent's drummer Derek O'Brien in his Glendale studio.
Picks to click: Lockdown America, California Son, Pointless Teenage Anthem
Cowboy score: 875

BAND: THE GLASS SET
TITLE: The Glass Set
ON: self released 2005
CONTACT: myspace.com/theglassset

I am bringing this one along to our next BGN slumber party.
Singer composer Leah Callahan fronts this Boston based quintet. "Deathmask" would be perfect for a D'Argento Italian slasher movie soundtrack. "Jealous Dead Girl" is another toe-tapper.
The review of this album in the Boston Globe said that it is a rock opera. I don't understand the storyline too good. But I dig the album all the same.
Leah's buried-alive vocals are backed by mad scientist guitarwork by Joel Cohen, downwardly spiraling bass lines from Dave Dines, spirited casket thumping courtesy of Allen Esser and spooky key tinkling by Jennifer Dines.
Produced by the zombie-like Richard Marr in his dimly lit Galaxy Park Studios.
Picks to click: Titticut Follies, Please, Leave Me Alone, Good-bye Troubles Cowboy score: 825

BAND: THE MIGHTY IONS
TITLE: Face Rakin' Rock
ON: Dino - 2000
CONTACT: www.dinorecords.com

Pile-drivin' retrospective (1981- 1999) from Boston's top ranked wrasslin' rockers -The Mighty Ions.
Originally formed as a trio in the summer of 1980, the Ions were Bob Mackenzie (drums & vocals), Carl Square (bass & vocals) and Unnatural Axe's Tom White (guitar & vocals) these guys entered the squared circle with just one thing on their minds "We Want The Belts"!
You don't need to be a fan of Fred Blassie to appreciate pulse-pounding garage rock like this . Ferocious tunes with sing-along choruses (She Won't Shut Up) alternate with some good yucks (One Of Those Girls, Bill Tupper Rap). These 24 vintage recordings were culled from various studio sessions made around Boston as well as a 1982 WERS broadcast and rare live recordings captured at the Underground (1981) and Streets ('82). By that time a fourth Mighty Ion had joined the tag team, Dan McCormack (guitar, organ, backing vocals) plus the late great Roger Tripp (La Peste), soon signed on to give the Ions drumset a nightly beating.
Carl provides fantastic ringside commentary in a photo-packed 16 page booklet. The Mighty Ion saga includes free-for-all action at long lost venues like Cantones, Spit & the Rat. We also get to relive the Mighty Ions still controversial face-off with western Massachusetts' rock'n'wrestle title-holders The Foreign Objects (also on Dino Records), held at the sorely missed Inn Square Men's Bar. While the outcome of that Cambridge bout is still hotly debated, no one denies that the Mighty Ions were undisputedly a real bunch of winners.
The Mighty Ions reunited in 1999 with John Jules (Fox Pass) on drums to record several of their two-fisted tunes that had gotten lost in all the years of brawling.
The quality of these Euphoria Studios cuts (Michael Gatzios, engineer) is outstanding as is everything on this first rate release. Included are some nice live cover tunes: Next Big Thing (Dictators), Tonight We Fight (Unnatural Axe) and Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight (Fleetwood Mac).
I also must mention that Tommy White's collage of George "the Animal" Steele punishing the Mighty Ions is a classic!
My Picks to Click: Government Workers, Andy & Bill, Pedro Morales, Australopithecus, One Of Those Girls
Cowboy Score: 875

BAND: WILLIE ALEXANDER & THE BOOM BOOM BAND
TITLE: The Dog Bar Yacht Club -2005
ON: Fish Eye Records
CONTACT: http://www.williealexander.com/htm/music.html

    Boston's premiere underground rockstar Willie "Loco" Alexander reunites with his 70's hotshot Boom Boom Band and comes up with stunning results. Alexander is the artist who effortlessly bridges the gaps between the beatniks, rockers, numerous "new"waves, jazzbos, psychedelics, punks and poets of the past 6 decades.
A major label garage rocker in the sixties, Willie was a leader of the early 70's DIY music movement but the power and popularity of his 1976 Boom Boom Band propelled Willie back into the majors.

    It's been twenty-five years since those big budget albums and national tours. Willie has continued to perform and record stacks of recordings over the years but somehow, right now, the original Boom Boom Band have returned to us! The band still sticks to a simple but devastatingly effective blueprint. Drummer David McLean gets a hypnotic beat rolling. David and bassman Sev Grossman pump up and deepen the groove while wide-eyed Willie relates his story-songs and adds occasional keyboard flourishes. Once the mixture is really cooking, fretmaster Billy Loosigian slinks out of the shadows and drops 16 tons of Gibson guitar into the stewpot and blows the roof off the joint.
    Loosigian is co-writer on four songs here that showcase his distinct style and an attack that frequently takes cues from Jeff Beck's pre-Stratocaster years ( soaring slide work on "Gravelly Hill") and seminal Jimmy Page riff rock ("High Tide Heroes"). I know, a lot of guitarists like to list Beck & Page as influences, but Billy Loosigian is one of the few guys I've ever seen who can truly pull that stuff off. At Boom Boom concerts you will always find an army of axe grinders hanging out in front of Billy's side of the stage studying this overlooked guitar star.
    The ever charismatic Willie Alexander returns to his rock'n'rolling roots with these 13 big songs. Willie writes about what he knows. A lot of his best lyrics come out of what WA watches going on outside the window of his hilltop pad in the old fishing port of Gloucester MA. "Fred Buck's Footsteps" earns a place in my All-time Top 10 and rocks with one of the most infectious rhythms ever devised. Willie leads the way shaking an empty ginseng soda can filled with black beans. A real beauty is the opener "Gravelly Hill" with lyrics by Charles Olson, brilliantly adapted by Alexander.
    Another slice of life (and death), this time inspired by Willie's old Somerville neighborhood, is "Who Killed Deanna" and you can find a mellower version of this same haunting song on Willie's majestic "The East Main Street Suite" (Accurate 5034) album. Two more treats, "Oh Daddy Oh" and "Telephone Sex" recall the ever popular "ga-ga" Willie "Loco" vocal-style from "Live at the Rat" days.
    This recording was done by David Minehan at his Wooly Mammoth Studios. Cleanly tracked and unobtrusively produced, the cd isn't as gloriously heavy as the band sounded on stage at a recent Cambridge concert, but it still sounds great.
    Word on the street is that Willie Alexander and the Boom Boom Band are headed to Europe for a tour. Bon Voyage and please keep this reunion rolling boys!
    Cowboy's Picks to Click: Gravelly Hill, Fred Buck's Footsteps, High Tide Heroes, Mystery Training
    Cowboy Score: 950

BAND: READ YELLOW
TITLE: Radios Burn Faster- 2004
ON: Fenway Recordings
CONTACT: http://www.fenwayrecordings.com/

    Frightening quartet out of Amherst MA unleashes a torrent of stabbing guitar jabs and politically charged ranting. It's hard to decipher some of the lyrics but Read Yellow's unsettling message still comes through loud and clear.
    The ferocity never lets up and the violent attack of drummer Paul Koelle and bassist Michelle Kay Frenald seldom veers off target. Evan Kenney and Jesse Vuono are both on guitar, employing feedback and noise washes to good effect, these guys sure know how to get some good air-raid-siren tones. Everybody in Read Yellow sings.
    While the sound has a sharp bleeding edge, the tunes actually stick to solid arrangement techniques: verses, middle eights, hooks and lots of call and response choruses. Read Yellow excels at herding up all their emotion and noise and galloping it forward, until it finally hits a stonewall head-on with repeated bludgeoning climaxes. Nice!
Formed in 2001 these     artist/punk rockers have found success on the road, with tours of the midwest and northeast (USA) as well as several European road trips to their credit.
    Radios Burn Faster was tracked in Brooklyn NY and finished up here in Cambridge at Camp Street Studios. Helmed by producer Paul Kolderie (Hole, Radiohead) the album was completed in 10 days. I'm gonna be watching these guys.
    A lovely booklet comes along with this 11 song longplayer, featuring unsettling song lyrics, some Ralph Steadmanish gonzo-style inkwork and a bunch of exacto razor blades falling from the sky.
    Cowboy's Picks to Click: The Association, The Art, A Love Supreme
    Cowboy Score: 795

BAND: The Afrika Korps
TITLE: Live at Cantone's 1977
ON: Gulcher - 2002
CONTACT: www.gulcher.gemm.com

    Rock history is made when the Afrika Korps show a packed Boston club their stuff. Readers of the Boston Groupie News and fans of the 70's Boston underground should check out this 20-song set, recorded live at Cantone's on August 20, 1977.
    The Afrika Korps was formed in 1976 by three pioneers of the American DIY punk movement Solomon Gruberger (O.Rex), Kim Kane (Slickee Boys) and Kenne Highland (Gizmos). All three had already released their own indie records at this point, and with the addition of Ken Kaiser on drums and 16 year old Jay Gruberger on bass, The Afrika Korps recorded their highly recommended debut "Music To Kill By" (Gulcher 405). Fresh out of the Marines, Kenne Highland managed to wed our editor Miss Lyn (but she's single again right now boys!) and "Live at Cantone's" was recorded at the blushing couple's well attended post-wedding ceremony show.
    Featuring all the Afrika Korps garage-rockin' faves (Fox Lane, N.Y. Punk, Make Her Know She's Getting Laid) with Gizmo and O.Rex tunes thrown in. The unstoppable Afrika Korps also blast through Willie Loco's "At the Rat", "Hit Her Wid De Axe" and even Thundertrain's "Hot For Teacher!"
    This lo-fi recording captures the ambience of a hot nite at Cantone's, with plenty of stage asides, putdowns and banter from a crowd of inebriated Boston rock scenesters of the era. Cool liner essay by Kenneth Kaiser, who recalls the tragic death of gifted Afrika Korps bassman Jay Gruberger in a 1993 automobile accident.
Three original members of The Afrika Korps played a surprise 3 song set at the Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain on July 16, 2004.
    Picks to Click: Califawnia Gurls, You're A Tease Baby, Jailbait Janet, My Head's In '73
    Cowboy Score: 808

BAND: DIN
TITLE:High End
ON:self released (2003)
www.cdbaby.com/cd/dinmusic
The editor of the Boston Groupie News sent me this gem. I'd avoided listening to it at first because with a name like Din I was expecting to endure some face-melting, ear-bleeding noise ala the dreaded Slick Pig or Government Dictatorship. Din turns out to be a very catchy pop-rock band featuring dreamy-voiced Carlene Barous (also on keyboards and bass) showcasing plenty of strong material all expertly captured on disc by David Minehan. Carlene floats her melodies over tight hooky backings on "I'll Find a Way" and "I Want You". Co-writer, singer Glenn Steadman ( also on bass and guitars) keeps things edgy, executing his very convincing baritone Iggy vocal track on "Crazy". Expert drummer John Gulizia ( ex- Moving Targets) and rocking guitarist Bart Lo Piccolo (ex- Scatterfield) complete the quartet.
These Boston players all have straight-ahead punkrock in their blood but now they have chosen to slide sideways into this groovy sounding Din territory.
The smooth sounding 7 song collection was recorded and mixed in Boston at Mr. Minehan's Wooly Mammoth Studios with mastering done by Colin Decker at M Works in Cambridge. Don't miss this one.
Cowboy's Picks To Click: I'll Find A Way, Crazy, Hung, I Want You, The Fall
Cowboy Score: 845

BAND: 27
TITLE: Let The Light In (cd/ep)
CONTACT: Hydra Head - 2004
www.hydraheadshop.com

   Yummy! Six diverse slices of hypno-rock dripping with melodies that echo in the cranium for days. This Boston-based quartet features Maria Christopher (Dirt Merchants) on vocals. Maria purrs her innocent sounding lyrics effortlessly over a clever backing of bass and drums augmented by everything from jazzy piano to wood flute to synth to Indian drums. It all fits together really well and what we are left with are a bunch of really addictive songs.
I understand that this band recently returned from a lengthy European tour supporting their label mates, Isis.
   I hope to catch 27 live in concert back here while they are in town, if they sound anything like they do on this disc live they will be crowned with the Cowboy's green light to go all the way.
27 recorded this ep themselves and also designed the striking packaging. I find it interesting how 27 downplay themselves, no band photos and their names appear in type too tiny for me to read. None of the self-hype that so many bands (at least the ones I'm in) usually employ. Bring on the full length cd!

My Picks to Click: The Cause, Make Love Not War, Try (part 2), April
Cowboy Score: 850