Brick Bath American Currency
Crash Music Inc. CMU 61152 September 6th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
Maybe Brick Bath would be flattered if they heard that I immediately thought of Pantera when American Currency fluttered out of my speakers. Oddly, the band has a distinct, Southern U.S. sound but hail from California, and their latest turns out to be their junior effort. In essence, friends of the waterlogged South a locale thats spawned acts like Crowbar, Eyehategod, and trillions upon trillions of Anselmo-related projects will perhaps find more to love with this Crash Music Inc. endeavor than the average music observer. On one level, I can tell the quartet is earnest. Yet, on another level, there are several elements that mar the album, thus damning it to an early grave.
While the Pantera admiration is piecemeal at first glimpse, the culmination is most assuredly Memeories (sic). In the sixth track, Hubbard (vocals) basically parrots Anselmo, Meyer (guitars) borrows Dimebag Darrels trademark squeals, and Owen (drums) riddles his performances with Vinnie Paul-esque double-bass. However, Brick Bath are arguably capable of penning some outstanding riffs, as seen/heard on Bleed with Me and Victim Again. Still, when all is said and done, American Currency feels like a second-rate version of dozens of albums that have already spent their appropriate, deserved time in the spotlight. Furthermore, the senseless political ranting, overt endorsements of hedonism, and mindless antagonistic threatening which is birthed by the lyrics sheet, hardened by attitude, and then spat out by semi-distorted vocals are all disquieting, which downplays the packages overall value. Unless made new in an unforeseen special way, those topics can be categorized as exhausted beyond resuscitation. In addition, I guess someone forgot to proofread the back cover, because I dont spell Religious Experiance (sic) and Memeories (sic) the same way that Brick Bath does.
Undoubtedly, this type of metal caters to a specific audience, and I think that Brick Bath could be integrated into the applicable scene with little to no opposition. But, as far as Im concerned, theres not much of an incentive for me to revisit American Currency after this. In other words, theres always room for improvement but this records been spent.
6/10
Official Brick Bath Website
Official Crash Music Inc. Website
Crash Music Inc. CMU 61152 September 6th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
Maybe Brick Bath would be flattered if they heard that I immediately thought of Pantera when American Currency fluttered out of my speakers. Oddly, the band has a distinct, Southern U.S. sound but hail from California, and their latest turns out to be their junior effort. In essence, friends of the waterlogged South a locale thats spawned acts like Crowbar, Eyehategod, and trillions upon trillions of Anselmo-related projects will perhaps find more to love with this Crash Music Inc. endeavor than the average music observer. On one level, I can tell the quartet is earnest. Yet, on another level, there are several elements that mar the album, thus damning it to an early grave.
While the Pantera admiration is piecemeal at first glimpse, the culmination is most assuredly Memeories (sic). In the sixth track, Hubbard (vocals) basically parrots Anselmo, Meyer (guitars) borrows Dimebag Darrels trademark squeals, and Owen (drums) riddles his performances with Vinnie Paul-esque double-bass. However, Brick Bath are arguably capable of penning some outstanding riffs, as seen/heard on Bleed with Me and Victim Again. Still, when all is said and done, American Currency feels like a second-rate version of dozens of albums that have already spent their appropriate, deserved time in the spotlight. Furthermore, the senseless political ranting, overt endorsements of hedonism, and mindless antagonistic threatening which is birthed by the lyrics sheet, hardened by attitude, and then spat out by semi-distorted vocals are all disquieting, which downplays the packages overall value. Unless made new in an unforeseen special way, those topics can be categorized as exhausted beyond resuscitation. In addition, I guess someone forgot to proofread the back cover, because I dont spell Religious Experiance (sic) and Memeories (sic) the same way that Brick Bath does.
Undoubtedly, this type of metal caters to a specific audience, and I think that Brick Bath could be integrated into the applicable scene with little to no opposition. But, as far as Im concerned, theres not much of an incentive for me to revisit American Currency after this. In other words, theres always room for improvement but this records been spent.
6/10
Official Brick Bath Website
Official Crash Music Inc. Website
