Porcelain
Slam Bam
** 1/2
Pop Smear Records
While listening to this album, I kept thinking, "these guys sound like some
other guys...." But I couldn't figure out who it was they sounded like. The
seven-song EP Slam Bam reeks of left-over adolescent angst. But it's the kind
of angst you can live with. I know, I know, I keep contradicting myself,
vacillating from point to point, but that's the effect the album had on me.
Listening to the songs, I wasn't too impressed with the band's musical
dexterity and range. But these guys aren't a bunch of wusses either, and
they certainly aren't trying to re-invent the wheel. I get the feeling that
these guys know that they sound like some of the "other guys", but they
don't care, they're just trying to put a personal twist on it all. And twist
they do. Where other bands wouldn't know what do with the riff in "Lather",
the band takes it to the limit. Can't help but with lyrics like "Please
don't put me down, don't make your squeak your sound. You know I'd rather
work you to a lather, I would never live alone." Check out "Pretty" as well,
for more of what Porcelain has to offer. I'd say that the strength of the
band lies in its song-writing, not particularly in the music, but they
wouldn't be the first would they?
And speaking of making your squeak your sound, lead singer Steven Huber
stills seems to be finding his own but he shines in such songs as "On You"
(which is running second to Lather for my favorite), and where he damn near
scratches and wheezes his way through the song). "Just Keeps Happening To
Me" is also worth a listen. I can easily hear that one on the Live 105's of
the world. All in all, the contradictions die here. Porcelain is a good band
who shows promise. Now that can't be all bad can it?
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