TUCSON SIMPSON
Hot Town (CCP Records)
Reviewed by Holly Day

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Pretty cheesy, bar-band country rock, with lots of guitar noodling and deep, throaty vocals that sounds like the singer is trying to sound like a bigger drunk than he actually is. Or at least I think the point of the growling and whining is trying to sound seasoned and weathered to give these songs the level of brokedown authenticity that usually goes hand in hand with country bar bands. I'd just like to see more personality in these songs, I guess, something to set this band apart from every other "local" guitar-heavy, new country-type band that's out there, but I'm just not hearing it. The ballads here are especially agonizing, devoid of any of the sadness and pain that the songs purport to be about. Just leaves me feeling numb, and that just makes me mad. Grr! Holly smash! Or maybe just go back to sleep.

© 2003 - Holly Day