|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
Alston:
Voodoo for Fun and Profit
Alstons new album release, Voodoo for Fun or Profit, falls somewhere between the genres of hard rock and pop, but will most likely be unappealing to fans of either. Catchy hooks and clever lyrics are light and amusing, but those with a love for the really gritty will find this latest release a bit too user-friendly. Overall, the combination of hard and pop is too distracting. Track to track, and even within songs, the music feels disconnected and directionless. Acoustic love melodies are followed with grinding guitars and desperate drum lines. Although Alstons high energy presentation keeps you listening, the overall image is of a hard rock band trying desperately to find a radio hit. The disconnection has also found its way into individual songs. Ordinary opens well with acoustic melodies in a heartfelt love song, but Alston quickly slips back to the hyper, energetic pop sound that we hear early on in the album. In the end, the track has a nice flavor, but youre left with the impression that the composition strayed from what could have been a great song. The obvious album highlight is a remake of Billy Idols Rebel Yell. Alstons version hits hard without losing any of Idols original pop/punk energy, and it almost brings out a little nostalgia for those early eighties. Although they do it well, it is unfortunate that the albums best track is a cover. In the end, Alston is too hard for pop and too soft for rock. The music has no real edge or uniqueness that will keep you listening. Alston simply leaves you with the impression that they have sacrificed their music in with hopes of catering to the mainstream.
Check Amazon, Insound and CD Universe to purchase this album.
About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
