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Artist: Hurtsmile |
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The
name of Gary Cherone
is synonymous with the mighty Extreme and Van Halen, but Cherone is
about to embark on a new venture with brother Markus for 2011 with the
band Hurtsmile, who come out of the traps running with their self titled
debut album. Believe me this is what fans of Cherone have been waiting
for since 'Pornograffiti' the funk is definitely out and back with a
vengeance. This
is Cherone at his very best from the opener
‘Just War Theory’ Cherone lays down the law from the off.
This isn’t no namby pampy throw away album, this is funk ridden angst
at it's very best, with Cherone coming across like a certain John Lydon at times
on this opening barrage. The
full on funko rock fusion is carried on well into ‘Stillborn’ before
rocking it big style with the thumping ‘Love Thy Neighbor’, which
has more groove than all of my old vinyl albums put together as brother
Markus throws out the licks like you’d never believe. The
great guitar sound continues with one of my favourites off the album
‘Kaffur (Infidel)’, a political statement inspired
by the beheading of Daniel Pearl. The
album blends in great hard rock songs with some sublime ballads with
the latter being represented by
the excellent ‘Painter Paint’, the unplugged feel of
‘Jesus Would You Meet Me’, the rock well that comes in great
waves from the modern rocker ‘Tolerance Song’ and again the groove
infused ‘Set Me Free’ before we reach the funky bass laden ‘Slave’. But
one track that stands out from the pack has to be the album closer
‘The Murder Of Daniel Faulkener (4699)’ as Cherone gives Bob Dylan a
run for his money. I
think Cherone best describes the album
“Hurtsmile was about returning to my roots, writing a
record in my basement, a straight up rock ‘n’ roll record… but it
turned out to be more diverse and ambitious than I expected.” |
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Tracklisting: 1.
Just War Theory |
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