 WALTHAM
Permission to Build
Tractor 7 Records 2003
www.walthamtheband.com
Read the Frank Pino
Jr. interview
What's the 4-1-1?
Debut release for the Massachusetts based melodic rock band.
Genre
Melodic rock / hard rock / rock 'n roll
The Good
Waltham has often been compared to Rick Springfield. Not just musically,
but because they aren't afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeeves.
That becomes obvious on the opening track "So Lonely". Steered
by an infectious riffs, hooks, and licks, vocalist Frank Pino Jr. regretts
that he gave up his girlfriend and really wants to tell her how he feels. "All
I Want is You" is full of high energy and heavy guitar muting riffs.
It's another bad break-up here, but he's determined to get her back. On
one of the four songs named for women, "Cheryl" is about as close
as Waltham can get to Rick Springfield. The song writing and structure
is so memoriable that I still can't get it out of my head.
By the time "Hopeless" comes around Frank has decided to move
on from the past and try to tart a new relationship, only to become a bumbling
goof trying to say the right things. I think all men can relate to this feeling.
There's some great reverb on "Back to You". This song could easlily
be the theme to an eighties romantic comedy. What guy hasn't uddered "Hook
Me Up (With Your Friend)"? Driving chugga-chugga riffs are prevailent
on "Maria Simeone". Frank is practically pleading to her with his
powerful and enthusiastic delivery. "Say It Again" is an enjoyable
power ballad that mixes single note guitar picking with fuzzy guitar in the
backround. It comes complete with a great harmonious guitar solo.
The Bad
The fact that you don't have it!
The Verdict
Wow! This CD blew me away. It's loaded with dynamic rythems and melodies,
the songs are catchy and instantly memorable, and the vocals are smooth
and melodic. Song structure is perfect: intro riff, verse, chorus, solo,
repeat. They may be compaired to Rick Springfieild a lot, but Waltham clearly
stands on their own.
Did you know?
Waltham used to be known as Dirty Larry
Rating:  out
of 5
--George Dionne |
