The Feds--promo disc
self-released 2002
Although many people within the "stoner rock" scene have ruined the landscape for that music to the point of virtually no repair, there are still a handful of bands doing worthwhile stuff within the form. Case in point: the Feds. If more bands within this genre had executed and composed with the maturity of this band, during the boom period of three to four years ago, maybe this once healthy community would've continued to thrive.
It should be noted the Feds aren't exactly treading new ground with their sound--this stuff is akin to bands like Fu Manchu and Nebula. However, they're only akin--meaning they're not a complete rip off of those outfits. The same spirit is here but the Feds aren't trying to duplicate anyone's guitar sound or cop Scott Hill's vocal style to the point of poseurdom. Through the base similarites in these bands, sound-wise, you're still always aware this is the Feds.
The other thing the Feds have going for them besides not being total carbon copies is the fact they can actually write a song and, just as importantly, respect the song. On the first two tracks, "Sonic Malevolence" and "Riding Low," the lead guitar voice is almost supplimentary--that is to say, these solos are non-masturbatory and serve only to enhance the riff. This leads one to believe the Feds are keenly aware that, when it comes to groove-based heaviness, the riff is always the star. That rule always applies unless you're Wino from Spirit Caravan--and there's only one of him. Facts all lost on the amateurs and pretenders back when it finally fell apart for "stoner rock."
The final, and maybe most important, thing about the Feds to keep in mind and applaud is the sense of roots in their music. Just flat-out copping bands (as good as they are) such as Fu Manchu and Nebula has proven to be disasterous for this genre--when you're basing everything you do on bands whose styles are highly derivative (though, again, good) in the first place, it just doesn't float. Maybe this Feds demo will remind everyone that quality "stoner rock" is still possible and give people an idea of how to do it (hint: it's all about the subtleties). An especially refreshing listen.
Get info on this CD directly from THE FEDS
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