Throttlerod - Nail
- Released: April 11, 2006
- Label: Small Stone
- Rating:
I have a love/hate relationship with labeling music genres. When used correctly (meaning the criteria is narrow), they work great and give me an idea of what to expect from a band. Metalcore? Got it. Thrash? Right. Stoner? Umm…can you clear that up a bit? Throttlerod is a member of the great stable of bands at Small Stones Records, most of which I have seen labeled “stoner” at various times (Dixie Witch, The Brought Low, Glasspack, etc.), but then other times I seem them labeled as southern rock. The reason for this fog is that throughout Throttlerod’s career, they have adjusted their sound to reflect the changes that have affected the band. Whether it was their move from SC to VA, changing drummers, or paring down to a three piece, they have rolled with the changes. The result of all this is the release of the first CD that really shows them as their own band, Nail, which again dodges genre labels. If you like their other stuff, this may not be your cup o’ tea.
Their first two releases, Eastbound and Down and Hell and High Water, were crunching, southern tinged rock-outs with just the right amount of boogieness. The main concern was that when a song clicked it was great, but when it didn’t it was pretty ugly. Then came the sort of acoustic southern Lynyrd Skynyrd 5 song moment in the Starve the Dead EP, and I thought I was ready for their next release.
Surprise!
I guess all the extra work you have to do as a three piece must really piss you off. This CD rages from beginning to end. It makes me want to run for my bottle of Jack and to buy a ’72 Ford pickup. From the opening of “Prize Fighter” to the great ending track “Indian Head”, the CD holds your attention more than anything the band has done yet. Too bad they gave up on the only thing that connected their other releases – the influence of southern rock. Doing this, for whatever reason, has certainly released them from any pigeonholing that southern bands suffer from, but it also robs them of their identity. They sound tight and comfortable. The songs on this CD are well written and make for a much more consistent overall experience, removing the lows of their past efforts by offering no filler. However, this move towards the center has also removed some of the highs as well. In the end, while I really like the CD, it is not what I expected. It sounds like they had trouble committing to the southern part, so what is left is the rock…and there is nothing wrong with that.
Whatever they are…don’t call ‘em stoner.
| 07/10/2006