CAR 44
Platinum Holes (Thirsty Ear)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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On Platimum Holes, vocalist Dahna Rowe slips, dips and soars over and around a trio of players that make a sound that redefines the idea of "heavy" music for the 21st century. John Conkle is one of those too-rare guitarists who serves the song rather than his ego, and Rob D.'s bass and Billy Crawford's drums are the stuff power trio dreams are made of. In short, this Virginia Beach quartet's Thirsty Ear debut is killer.

Former Rollins Band guitarist Chris Haskett was brought aboard for production chores, with his former bandmate Theo Van Rock handling the mix. That may account for some of the punk thud and energy on the album, but it's ultimately the songs and the tight interplay between the musicians that puts this one over. For the most part, Conkle writes for Rowe's lyrics, though he provides his own words in a couple of cases. In every case, though, this is a band with something to say, but they don't necessarily take everything they say too seriously--which is refreshing in the alternative music scene, where any departure from dead serious tends to be seriously silly. Car 44 often offer actual wit, the ultimate missing ingredient from many albums I have almost loved in recent years. In fact, it's so often missing I didn't realize how much I missed it until I heard it. It's here. I love this one.

Track List:

Baby It's Me * Fools * Rid Of You * John Thomas Lover * Rock Star * Fall 4 Me * Where Are The Boys? * M-12-11 * Angel * Lock, Stock & Barrell * Pedestal * 20 * Take Care Trevor

© 2000 - Shaun Dale