Man, I dig that technology has finally got to the point where the indie bands can throw out releases that sound totally pro: just dig the drum sound on this SITTIN' IDOL disc, and bask in the glory. This Calgary band is on album three, and it shows in their chops and songwriting skills. At first, those vocals are too post-grunge/modern Hetfield for my liking, but as far as that stuff goes, they are way less offensive than lots of bands. The sleazy, lazy, ZZ Top meets COC lite of 'I Am Consumption' by far beats out the more mopey, post-grunge sounds on here, although 'Unwound' is like one of those great ALICE IN CHAINS acoustic/depresso/sludge jams that are way better than I care to admit. 'The Mountain Walks' inexplicably reminds me of WARRANT or L.A. GUNS at their prime, doing some 'experimental ballad that's not about love and instead is about settlers' or something; oddly, it works, as well. I love how the album threatens to become forgettable mid-tier rock but always gets saved, KINGS OF THE SUN-style, by the manic and panicked drumming performance (see 'Slider', or any other song). The epic two-part 'Take Me Home' is a great near-closer, although the 51-minute run time starts to wear ya down right around then, too.
