ROCKETS AND CARS
Conversations at 30,000 Feet (Motor Room)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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In their on-line bio, Rockets and Cars make no grand claims beyond simply being a rock and roll band, pointing out that their very name is symbolic of their attitude. "Rockets and Cars are the machines that drive us, not the clutter that clogs the way." You'd probably expect either Ramones-like 3-chord bash or Blasters-like 5-chord hop, but Rockets and Cars probably just feel that way about their music deep inside. There are moments of gritty guitar simplicity as straight forward as can be, and they pull that off nicely, but the truth is this band tends to string a lot of pretty decorations across much of their music, turning it into alternative rock. Ah, but very good alternative rock. Except for one song that has a guitar underpinning that takes it too close to U2's "With Or Without You," Conversations at 30,000 Feet is an enjoyable album of songs that are quite addictive, from the driving rock of "What Happened To Our Moon Colony" to the explosive and expansive punk of "Head in a Cloud" to the jangly "Was That You Laughing." Includes a bonus DVD with a video, a slide show and a band bio. Recommended.

[CD available at Motor Room Records' website.]

© 2004 - DJ Johnson