Artist: SOS
Title: Adult Situations
Type: Album
Label: Self Released
I like to think that we are a relatively broad minded organisation in terms of what we bring you folks. Okay, you’re never gonna find the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs or the new album from Britney on these pages, but we do attempt to cover most things that can be filed under metal even if that means occasionally holding writers up to the theoretical blade, wafting a bar of candy as an incentive or more often than not biting the bullet and reviewing that metalcore or *grinds teeth* guitar widdler myself. Of course, there is a fine line that must be drawn when deciding whether to cover something or throw it on the big, fat REJECT pile and this kind of resides smack, bang on the middle of that line (with perhaps a micro-millimetre more in the realm of acceptability than not). When a band shows such determination/ persistence/ desperation as to post us not one…not two…not three…but four copies of their album it kind of makes it that bit more difficult to sling on the aforementioned pile and, well, if you hadn’t guessed by now it made the cut.
What really made me chuckle was the packs of matches that were stuffed in the envelopes which at the very least assured me that if the album wasn’t of satisfactory quality that I would be able to amuse myself by throwing all four CD’s out in the back yard and lighting a bonfire. Thankfully for the neighbours this album has turned out to be not half bad. Perhaps being from the States and seemingly having never had a record deal has something to do with my never having heard of them, but apparently they have been around since 1995. I can only guess that this band haven’t really undergone too much change in this time as this just has that kind of 90’s sound that is so genuine. Certainly they must be respected for their unwillingness to move forward with the trends.
There’s an electric current running through this album that lets off plenty of raw energy on tracks like ‘Do You Want To Go Bowling…?’ which has the kind of chaotic drum clatter and overall raucousness of a bowling alley at peak time. There’s a general feeling of chaos throughout this album; these are certainly a noisy bunch yet in a rather tuneful way. There’s a strong punk presence in some of these tracks; ‘Wasteland Temptress’ has a bit of a Black Flag vibe to it while there’s a general fuck you punk attitude to their sound. There is a more metallic feel to ‘Frames’ with its angry riffage that merges with a melodic chorus; this track in particular is rather catchy. The rollicking riffs and fuzzy guitar sound really help you to settle into the overall groove of the album and I do find it quite easy to listen to. With most songs around the three minute mark this doesn’t overstay its welcome; short bursts of anger that are more about the love of the music than trying to prove anything. This isn’t likely to offend anyone, it won’t change the face of music forever and it isn’t going to make you think much either. Now I’ve got to find another use for all these matches. Time to take up smoking again.
http://www.sosnyc.com
Luci Herbert
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