BOSS MARTIANS
The Set-Up (MuSick)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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If Evan Foster decided to form a Zydeco/Polka/Celtic/Whaling song band, I believe he'd make it into something well worth hearing. The guitarist best known for his 1990s instrumental surf/hotrod band, The Boss Martians, is such a natural musician and student of sound that everything he does ends up sounding authentic.

Boss Martians no longer surf. Boss martians rock with the amps overdriven, the bass and kick drum locked and voices singing out in harmony. It's a little bit hard rock and a little bit power pop, and it sounds great. Evan and the guys get a HUGE sound on The Set-Up, thanks at least in part to the Northwest's greatest producer/engineer, the guy you go to when your band is hot as hell and you want to make sure it sounds that way on CD, Jack Endino. There are a lot of very well-crafted tunes here, but they sure made the right choice by leading off with "I Wanna Be Your Addiction," a song that will become your addiction in no time flat. You're sold on the band and they haven't even gotten to song #2 yet. Not to worry, there's plenty more where that came from. Each song is built to last. Real songs, not vehicles for guitar showmanship, which Evan's more than capable of. Great rule to live by: serve the songs, not yourself. Guitarslingers, take note.

This stuff is energizing and exciting and fun, and I'm hoping Evan stays addicted, too, even if he gets one of those urges of his and decides to start a side project and put out some very authentic Avant-Reggae Operapella.

© 2003 - DJ Johnson