With a gothic, art noir cover, I was expecting something a bit darker when I popped this CD in. But this is rock’n’roll, straight up. There are some musical similarities to The Stooges, but with their own modern day dive bar twist. The vocals have a growl somewhere between the Afghan Whigs and a younger Tom Waits. There’s a great variety in songs. It’s not all rock’n’roll. There are a few darker melodic songs, like “Shallow Grave” that bring in piano and a softer, creepier side. Overall, this a great record. –Ryan Nichols (Hound Gawd!, [email protected])