This is an open forum for staff members, contributers, and fans alike to submit their reviews on the latest music releases and concerts. In an industry that is drowning with overprocessed, grossly overrated, unoriginal crap these days, this is our chance to allow the real stars to shine, if only on our humble, little stage; and expose you to some of our favorite talents.
Reviews are given 1 - 5 stars.
1. New Generation
2. Ghost
3. Swallow me (The Real You)
4. Born a Beggar
5. Thick is the Skin
6. See You Around
7. Mouth of VooDoo
8. One Light
9. I Remember You Two
10. Lamb
11. Down From the underground
12. Hittin a Wall
Skid Row is back!! Well sort of. No longer the Sebastian Bach lead outfit that we all fondly remember, now Skid Row consists of two new members, drummer Phil Varone (Saigon Kick, Prunella Scales) and Johnny Solinger, late of the ubiquitously named “Solinger” Thickskin’s release has been delayed several times, and the guitar were completely recut, which is usually a horrible sign. But all is not bad here, not by a long shot.
Frankly the album sounds like two different bands. Half the album sounds like a more mature, album oriented band. That’s not a bad thing folks. Dave the Snake Sabo, Rachel Bolen and Scotti Hill were ripped by fans when they formed Ozone Monday following Bach’s defection in the mid90’s. Fans were upset because the band was writing songs that were “Oasis-like” Well folks, the best song on this album, “Born a Beggar” was written by Snake/Bolan/Hill and….Shawn McCabe, who was the singer for ozone Monday. In fact the songs where Skid Row shines are songs such as the aforementioned Born a Beggar, the late 90’s sounding Ghost, the Lifehouse sounding See you Around, and the beautiful One Light. The songwriting here is very mature, and they probably would have benefited from releasing this material out from under the name of Skid Row.
As for the rest of the material, the band tries to hard to live up to their salad days as “Skid Row” The two songs Skid Row has been featuring on the Poison tour, “New Generation” and “Thick is the Skin” are big lumbering rockers, without the memorable hooks or licks which made Skid Row a force to be reckoned with. Additionally, the songs final three songs are quite weak, with only “Lamb” having a redeeming point or two with some interesting guitar work. On the good side, “Swallow Me” and “Mouth of Voodoo” are highlights of the heavier songs on the album. I am deliberately ignoring “I Remember You Two” which I think is ridiculous. Let New Found Glory do the funny 80’s covers boys.
Rachel Bolan really shines on this album, with some tasty bass work. Solinger does a very credible performance in a very tough spot, even sounding like Bach in spots on “Ghost” Another major quibble would be the guitar work. Sabo and Hill are two solid guitar players, but the guitar playing is too laid back at times, especially on the tracks which need the fiery guitars.
Best Songs:
Born a Beggar
Ghost
See you Around
Avoid:
I Remember You Two
Hittin a Wall
Reviewed by: Mike Gorman | November 2004
