A year after the quirky melodic metal band Galactic Cowboys called it quits, Monty Colvin, the renowned bassist and Micky Dolenz-personality of the band, has released his solo effort, All Day Sucker, under the pick-name Crunchy.
Fans of Colvin will find this is an easy transition for him as he retains the melodic constructions, vocal harmonies and heavy, distorted guitars that characterized his earlier work. Crunchy, however, takes itself even less seriously than the Cowboys did. (See the CD insert for Space in Your Face to see what a statement this really is.) Crunchy is less progressive, more radio-friendly and will lend itself to comparisons with the Foo Fighters and Offspring.
Among the album's highlights (and it's hard to pick out just a few) are:
"Missile Silo," which begins poppy and punky and then fades into a soothing ambience punctuated with expertly mixed vocal fills and a searing solo by Colvin, who has relinquished his bass in favor of a six-string for this album.
"Love (Comin' Out of Our Ears)," which includes a myriad of vocal effects, mixes of cheerleaders chanting, and more excellent guitar work.
"Two Hearts (Beatin' in You)," which blends low, crunchy instruments with melodic poppy vocals and offers intelligent, positive lyrics:
"Our life is not a pretty thing. Dealt with the problems it will bring. They go away, but not for long. Because a rose is a rose by any other name. Gotta lotta thorns but the beauty's still the same."
Other lyrics on All Day Sucker lampoon "kiddie pop" ("The Thing"), offer a tribute to Seinfeld ("Jerk Store"), and address issues from acceptance of people who don't fit society's mold ("She's a Freak") to risking rejection ("Rabbit") to coming to grips with radio's love affair with money instead of art ("The Underground").
Colvin's signature bass grooves are missing from most of the album, but his substitute (Scott King) is no slouch and Colvin makes up for it with his aptitude on lead and rhythm guitars. If you like heavy guitars, melodic choruses and punky vocals, you'd be an All Day Sucker not to check out Crunchy.
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