Artist: The Atomic Bitchwax
Label: Meteorcity Records
Release Date: 6/7/05
|
|
Title: 3 Artist: The Atomic Bitchwax Label: Meteorcity Records Release Date: 6/7/05 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
3 | ||
|
3 | ||
|
3 | ||
|
| |||
Abyss's Review:
This is my first extended contact with this band, and I must say that I'm digging this album. Of course, this isn't really my cup of tea, much more a part of the hard rock scene than anything significantly metal, but there's something about these guys' sound that piques my interest even if it doesn't blow me away. And while this doesn't really hit me nearly as hard as the last Corrosion of Conformity record did, I'm sure I'll visit it every once in awhile when the sprit moves me.
"One word review: Solid." The Atomic Bitchwax play a very accessible style of hard rock that owes something to the Southern style that's become quite popular in this genre, but they owe a whole lot more to mainstream bands like The White Stripes, The Strokes, The Hives and all those other "The" bands. This is misleading to a point, but where the similarity is undeniable is that this is definitely one step closer to mainstream than the Monster Magnet that spawned them. The songs are rather simple and extremely catchy, even the ones that don't really keep my attention.
And that's one of the cool things about this album - even the mediocre songs are kinda cool, even if they're not very memorable. And the songs that really shine rot your teeth out with their sweet catchiness. "The Destroyer," "You Can't Win," and "If I Had A Gun" are songs I will be returning to every so often. Album closer "Half As Much" goes into a crazy experimental realm which would seem more at home on a John Zorn release than anything else, but it does show another side to the band.
End result is that this is a fun album, but its not going to change your life. Anyone who likes mainstream rock, Monster Magnet or CoC may do well to check this out, but it is far from essential. One word review: Solid.
Death's Review:
This is my first true exposure to The Atomic Bitchwax. In hindsight, I had the general idea, but I suppose this is a little more rock and a little less stoner than I expected. Think Rob Zombie mixed with Monster Magnet, Band New Sin, Corrosion of Conformity, Clutch and Thin Lizzy. Total trucker style hard rock - another way to describe this stuff is that it is good drinking music. You know, you get a boom box on the kitchen counter, and a kitchen full of wasted friends playing quarters for shots of Jack Daniels. That kinda night. Anyway, The Atomic Bitchwax capture this vibe well. The record is well-produced, and the songs are just what you'd want them to be if you were interested in this kind of fare.
"Total trucker style hard rock - another way to describe this stuff is that it is good drinking music." That said, you've heard this type of thing before. Many times in many ways. The songwriting is good, but not enough to transcend the limitations of the general "down and dirty hard rock" template. This music is fine, but I won't spend a lot of time listening to it, not with so much else out there vying for a spot on the soundtrack to my Summer of 2005. This stuff would sound great at 2 a.m. when you're loaded and you walk into Red Rocks West in Manhattan. It might even sound good at the Rainbow in Hollywood at the right point in the night, or while watching people ride the mechanical bull at the Saddle Ranch. But its not headphone music, and it isn't the what I am usually drawn to. So I think the bottom line is this: if you're a fan of this type of thing, this is probably a very good Atomic Bitchwax album. The packaging looks great and the sound is there. But don't expect balls-out metal, brutality or technicality. This is not that kind of band.
Hel's Review:
I classify The Atomic Bitchwax as stoner rock. Now, I'm not really a stoner rock chick, but hey, a little diversity is nice from time to time. And if you're going to diversify, The Atomic Bitchwax is a good place to start. Plus, it's just a lot of fun to say "The Atomic Bitchwax."
"The Atomic Bitchwax have released a record well worth checking out." Despite the fact that this is not my chosen genre, I couldn't help but tap my toes and nod my head while listening to this record. The songs are catchy and well performed and the production is warm but not annoyingly fuzzy. I almost feel like I could see them playing if I closed my eyes (and had any idea at all what they looked like).
It is my opinion that people who like to kick back with some stoner rock would very much enjoy The Atomic Bitchwax's latest. I know that I passed a couple of pleasant hours spinning this one and I think it is quite likely that I may revisit someday it if I find myself in the mood for some down and dirty rock. The Atomic Bitchwax have released a record well worth checking out.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©2005 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.