Dinosaur Eyelids-Left Turn on Red

Independent/Self-Release
2017

New Jersey's Dinosaur Eyelids issued their 5th studio album back in late November of 2017. With it's tongue-in-cheek title of "Left Turn on Red", I had this CD arrive unexpectedly at my door. With 11 tracks in all, "Left Turn on Red" is the long-anticipated  follow-up to 2014's "Bypass To Nowhere". From what I have read, "Bypass To Nowhere" was well-received by both the fans and the critics. While I cannot vouch for their last album, "Left Turn on Red" is an absolute winner in my book and the exact kind of rock album that I would stop the presses for! Opening with four straight rock and roll gems in a row, "Left Turn on Red" is the gripping story of a five-piece garage band that works through it's personal struggles by plugging in & kicking out the jam. Influences seem to range from Ween, The Stooges, Dinosaur Jr., The Replacements, and Sonic Youth all the way up through Nirvana, Soundgarden, Black Sabbath, and Kyuss. On this excellent album you are just as likely to witness the influence of Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and The Who as you are Blind Melon and Saigon Kick! As an example of the wide array of influences let's check out two song. First we have "L.A. Lady". This semi-ballad is rock and roll all the way though, but it also has a bit of a late eighties/early nineteens hair metal vibe to it. Dinosaur Eyelids perfectly executes this cool number which could have easily been a hit for any number of L.A. glam metal bands. On the other end of the spectrum we have "Making Up Memories". On an album where (heavy) rock and roll rules the day, "Making Up Memories" sounds like a hard rock take on Jane's Addiction (without all the drama naturally). It is a great song, but then again, "Left Turn on Red" is nothing but one great track after another. As part of the alternative rock scene, Dinosaur Eyelids might have a hard time breaking through all of the preconceived barriers that come from closed minds. Whatever you do, do not fall for such a trap! At it's core this is a rock and roll album that demands to be played "Loud & Proud"! An album like "Left Turn on Red" is just as likely to appeal to the alternative/indie rock crowd as it is those of us in the hard & heavy scene. You can and most-certainly should check out this heavy rockin' release by by heading here. Be forewarned though. These NJ alt-rockers are a loud bunch! As such this album is all kinds of LOUD. You can try turning it down, but ultimately it needs to be played at maximum volume. That's what you do for any great rock recording and this gem is no different!

Waste Pipes-Fake Mistake

Atomic Stuff Promotion/Andromeda Dischi
2016

Formed back in 2003 by some high school age friends (and amazingly enough still featuring the same line-up after all these years!), Waste Pipes is a (melodic yet slightly-aggressive) hard rock and roll band from Italy with a handful of releases to it's name. Released on February 27th of this year, "Fake Mistake" is the latest full-length recording from this Turin-based band and (without mincing words) it is absolutely brilliant! Opening by way of the rock-steady "Headstrong", "Fake Mistake" (which is incidentally available on CD and as a digital download) is the sound of one hungry five-piece band that has finally struck studio gold! Waste Pipe's new album includes nine highly-creative & perfectly executed numbers and it's all from the youthful team of Chris (vox), Kina (guitar), Guarro (guitar), Lava (bass), and Boe (drums). On "Fake Mistake" you'll witness the full potential of this up-and-coming Italian rock band that has slowly but steadily grown from being one of Turin's best kept secrets into something much bigger and ultimately better!! With influences that range from classic rock (AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Led Zeppelin, The Cult, Queen, and ZZ Top!) to all things alternative* (everything from The Killers and Linkin Park to the Buzzcocks, The Church, The Clash, Radio Birdman, and even Midnight Oil!!) there is so much to love about "Fake Mistake" even if there is one track in particular that really sticks out. That song would be the catchy "Stay The Night" which has HUGE SUCCESS written all over it! Hands down this potential hit single in the making is the best song of the lot and you can check out the official video for it by heading here. The third track on the group's newest release, "Stay The Night" is one of those songs that will get stuck in your head and leave with with no choice but to sing it over and over again! Even so, "Stay The Night" is just one of the many wonders that awaits listeners on the brand new studio album from Waste Pipes. In-between the aforementioned "Headstrong" and this albums closing cut, "Bad Growing", you have plenty of other great moments ("Fire Below", "The Loser Song", "For All The Time We Waste", "Not Enough", and "Little Devils Scratched My Ears") thus making the band's new studio album a instant classic! Strong musicianship and top of the line songwriting like this doesn't come along every day and even when it does it is never as honest and sincere as Waste Pipes is. When you get right to Waste Pipes has a ton of potential so it would be an absolute tragedy if this graceful and heartfelt band wasn't given a chance to share their music on a bigger stage. Here's hoping they get that chance....