 Solarbaby
"Another Sidewalk's Bloody Dream" CD
Pale
Horse Records
Genres: rock n' roll, country, country-rock
Pale Horse Records
#101 - 1917 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V6J 1M7
Canada
Dec 2 - 8 2002 |
Hailing
from Vancouver, Canada, Solarbaby (aka Marq DeSouza)
knows how to rock. And he knows how to roll, too. Another Sidewalk's
Bloody Dream is his most recent album, and it comes off as a wicked
dose of alt country-crusted rock music. With influences ranging from The
Rolling Stones to Crazy Horse, and even more recent bands
like The Supersuckers and Southern Culture on the Skids,
Solarbaby's style has a unique ability to appeal to both rock
n' roll fanatics and cowpunk purists.
Listening to these songs, it's obvious that Solarbaby's live
presence must be completely outstanding. Coupling outrageous rock
vibrancy with catchy melodies and a fantastic, sun-drenched guitar
sound, the songs take the cake in terms of both atmosphere and melody.
Look at "Just Can't Keep From Crying," for example. With a
brain-numbingly fantastic vocal melody and impeccable guitar soloing,
along with flawless drumming, the track is easily one of the best on
the album. Also excellent is "Born Again," which boasts a
bit of a influence from the Byrds' country-rock era,
particularly in the guitars. It's perfect bar music, with a nice ol'
tavern sound to it. "Then Buried Alive" also comes across
well, with a great chorus and some nice Neil Young influences
abound.
Noticeably different from the other 11 songs is "Keep Your
Gunpowder Dry," a ten-and-a-half minute song that works as a sort
of a mellow epic, ending the album in a most suitable tone. Though in
concept a bizarre inclusion, hearing it will clear any doubts you may
have as to it's fittingness.
Well, I've never really been a fan of countrified rock n' roll
before, but this album really changed my mind about it. There ain't
nothing here for me to complain about - Another Sidewalk... is
just an astoundingly rockin' album.
87%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
12 tracks; distributed by the
label;
released 2000] |
