Over the years we’ve seen rock slowly erode into over-commercialized, corporate puppet shows providing music that is extremely sing songy, predictable, popish & highly corporate. I hereby call this new breed of music “Poser Rock” & I want to personally thank all the corporate giants for successfully transforming “Sex Drugs and Rock n’ Roll” into “Yoga, Vitamins and Nikelback” Of course millions of musical lemmings don’t know the difference, but not everyone is amused. Talking to many music fans out there the response is overwhelming. Give me something new, something powerful, something that’s pushes the envelope with a fresh sound that doesn’t leave it soul at the door. Something that doesn’t sound like Nikelback, Daughtry or Lifehouse. Give me something real!
So across my desk slides the new self titled EP by Southern California Christian band Smalltime. What I heard put a smile on my face. It’s a rock steady record that delivers solid songwriting with a nice rock/blues feel. Front man Danny Van reminds me of a cross between AC.DC and Bruce Springsteen, maybe a hint of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. You will also hear a side of Classic Rock and even Modern day Pop and Blues. If you like the above bands you should definitely check out this CD. My favorite track is probably “You Never Know” EP is available on CD BABY and can be downloaded on I — Tunes.
Overall “Smalltime” EP delivers and is a solid release with many feel good rock grooves with a in your face guitar driven sound that is a blast to listen to. I also like the passionate messages contained on the album very uplifting and overflowing with wisdom. It’s a record that gives us a fresh glimpse at an amazing artist and takes us back a few years — before everything started sounding like — well Nikelback.
Kevin Huber
[Rating: 4/5]
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