Alabama Thunderpussy/Halfway To Gone--split
Game Two/Underdogma Records 2000
Split releases are a bit of a crap shoot; you always stand the chance of having a weaker product due to one of the bands not holding up their half of the bargain. However, when you've got two bands with great songs showing up to play, the effects can be euphoric. That is certainly the case as it pertains to the Alabama Thunderpussy/Halfway To Gone split CD, co-released by Game Two and Underdogma Records.
ATP kicks it off with what is arguably their best song to date, "Heavyweight." This song will surely appease fans who may have been dissapointed/confused by the "experimental" nature of some tracks from the Constellation album and just want to be bludgeoned, similarly to the direction their River City Revival album pointed. The song builds momentum over its course, culminating in what can only be deemed a "sonic beatdown," in the best possible sense.
ATP finish their half of the split with "Rabdos (the strangler)." A truly rocking song, it contains some nice, unwimpy falsetto backup vocals during the initial and final verses. These backup vocals give the song a soulful edge; like the rockingest of ATP's material with a subtle underlying Motown vibe.
Halfway To Gone kicks off their half of the split in fine form with "Darktown Strutter." Boasting a heavy rocking groove and memorable hooks, this song is an example of excellent songwriting. Lou Gorra's (ex-Solarized) vocal performance really sends the song to the top of the heap.
Unfortunately, Halfway To Gone ends the CD with the virtually vocal-free "Thee Song." There is nothing wrong with that, per se. However, you do miss Lou's killer vocal stylings which would have enhanced the memorable riffs.
In the final analysis, that's nitpicking, though. This is a split of two bands who complement eachother so well, you couldn't imagine it any other way. It is coustom made for ATP fans, old Solarized fans, and people who like their rock ferocious and honest. Count me in.
Score this CD directly from GAME TWO
OR
Score this CD directly from UNDERDOGMA |
