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by joker - joker@killermonkeys.com (07/11/00)
Ups:
Good in a pinch
Downs:
This one will not stand the test of time
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Sometimes the world of music critique really gets ahead of itself. What would normally be a good review can easily get bogged down in elaborate metaphors and carefully-constructed slams. Jargon also plays a part in this mess of words, with critics throwing around terms that readers have to look up to understand. Who really says "juxtaposition" more than once in a lifetime?
This jargon has even lent itself to certain styles of music: trip-hop, trance, lo-fi, insurgent country, acid jazz ... the list goes on. Even "rock and roll" was coined by a disc jockey, for heaven’s sake. But possibly the most ambiguous of all these musical labels is emo (long E, long O). No one seems to be sure exactly what emo is, but the word is always found hanging around names like "punk," "ska" and "hardcore." Well, great. Those are three entirely different forms of music. The only sure way to get a definition on emo is to corner a punk, and even then, the answer is given grudgingly.
One will say, "It’s like, dudes in sweaters, and they usually sing about girlfriends and stuff," while another will respond, "Emo is all the different styles of music combined." It’s enough to make one give up and start listening to Michael Bolton.
This being said, it was frustrating to find emo mentioned on the inlay to U.S. Crush’s self-titled major label debut. The band solicits a "dude with a wussy voice to sing in our fun emo band, it’s all about girls, no flakes." Well, if this is emo, then praise be! The world finally has a clear definition. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit any of the previously mentioned descriptions.
U.S. Crush is all about making a point using heavy guitars and melodic vocals. Still, they’re not a punk band: they lack the energy. Some songs exhibit a pinch of hardcore, but it’s never abundant enough to label the band as such. Most of U.S. Crush is vocal-driven hard rock. Intensity ranges from the paced ballad "So I Thought" to the raging "You Wanna Be A Star." Nothing on this disc is going to set the music world on its ear, but this stuff certainly has a place in the rock fan’s col-lection. "Debutante" was recorded to be played at full volume, while charging along a back road with the windows down. Cuts like this could appeal to the punk set, and "First Time" caters to the fan who might also listen to Counting Crows. Upon full review, this band isn’t going to impress anyone over 18, but even older contemporary music fans could enjoy a slice of this so-called emo.
Lead singer Denny Lake provides a refreshing set of vocals by not pandering to the popular alternative sound. With his unique voice, he really cuts loose in a few places ("Everything"), but is careful not to overdo that intensity. The heavy guitars of Hodgie Haynes and David Hanson compose the prevalant sound on the disc. Ky Lambert and Dennis Wolfe’s rhythm section play only a functional part.
U.S. Crush is a well-rehearsed group, but they don’t offer anything exceptional with this release. A set of hard-rockin’ car songs is good for any occasion, yes, but they’re not destined for a prized spot in the average record store’s catalog.
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