Nu metal might be the movement we should thank for flushing out some of rock's hoarier old clichés, but with the rock & roll ranks beginning to resemble a Marine roll call, what with all those bulging biceps and c... more »lose haircuts, it's comforting that the self-titled release from Los Angeles's Boy Hits Car is able to reconcile the savage razor's edge of Papa Roach with some of the flamboyancy of alternative music. Their second album offers a number of pleasantly contrary moments, not the least of which include "The Rebirth" (which summons recollections of the Screaming Trees) and "As I Watch the Sun F**k the Ocean" (recalling Jane's Addiction). While the band falls short in spots, their bit-of-this, bit-of-that dynamic works surprisingly smoothly throughout, as rolls of heavy riffage break over flute, bongo, and tabla. Boy Hits Car might be a little too off-center to topple the likes of Papa Roach from nu metal's zenith, but this fine album is a reminder that an alternative take on a genre can restore faith in the definite article. --Louis Pattison« less
Nu metal might be the movement we should thank for flushing out some of rock's hoarier old clichés, but with the rock & roll ranks beginning to resemble a Marine roll call, what with all those bulging biceps and close haircuts, it's comforting that the self-titled release from Los Angeles's Boy Hits Car is able to reconcile the savage razor's edge of Papa Roach with some of the flamboyancy of alternative music. Their second album offers a number of pleasantly contrary moments, not the least of which include "The Rebirth" (which summons recollections of the Screaming Trees) and "As I Watch the Sun F**k the Ocean" (recalling Jane's Addiction). While the band falls short in spots, their bit-of-this, bit-of-that dynamic works surprisingly smoothly throughout, as rolls of heavy riffage break over flute, bongo, and tabla. Boy Hits Car might be a little too off-center to topple the likes of Papa Roach from nu metal's zenith, but this fine album is a reminder that an alternative take on a genre can restore faith in the definite article. --Louis Pattison
Boy Hits Car, the rebirth of Rage Against The Machine.
Francine Tepper | Austin, TX (formerly of the Bronx, NY) USA | 01/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I picked up their sampler from a concert for the Deftones and heard it, I was impressed. But when I downloaded a few of the songs on this album, I had to buy the CD. After having done so, I can tell you that I don't regret it. The lead singer (an 12 string acoustic guitarist!) sounds like Serj Tankian (SoaD) and Zack De La Rocha (RaTM) into one human powder keg! The bass is in full form and I am drawn into to the melody they use. Loud as hell and soft as heaven, I am a BIG fan of this band. Get this CD. Trust me."
An excellent CD
JacktheRIpper | 12/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Boy Hits Car has some of the most amazing lyrics and instrumentals. One of the great things about this CD is that every song is excellent not just a few. This is one of those CDs you just stick in and let play, instead of flipping through the songs."
Buy this album!!!!
John V Williamson | Hoover, AL United States | 11/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Boy Hits Car is one of the best live bands I have ever seen, and their album rocks all the way through!!! Scrape together ten bucks and buy this album. You will be hard-pressed to find a band with more energy and passion."
Gr00vy post-hardcore
Pete(r) | Thar ghettos of suburban Pennsylvania. Straight up | 09/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Boy Hits Car came out of nowhere and cracked me over the head with a brick. I'll admit that I first learned of this band when my sister said "Hey, here's a song called 'As I Watch the Sun F*** the Ocean'! Isn't that trippy?" "Haha," I responded, "that's a good title. Let's hear it!" Thus, an obsession was born. Pounding hard rock, acoustic guitar (as an aside, I may not know a damn thing about music, but it sure seems like he knows how to play the 12-string to me), great vocals and the occasional Indian touch blend together to form an eargasmic album.
The opnening cut, "Rebirth," sets the tone of the album. An acoustic guitar kicks in, and Craig gently sings, "Immerse yourself in this moment...think about our rebirth..." A pause. A sharp intake of breath. Suddenly, the gentleness is gone as Craig growls, "LET'S GET CONNECTED!" and the heavy strings kick in.
The second, "Lovecore (Welcome to" : Rapid vocals set to a nice bass beat open this track and Craig shows his range during the "Don't you wonder...if I love her?" lines. The third track, the aforementioned "As I Watch the Sun F*** the Ocean," starts off with an acoustic melody, but with the stereotypical metal "break," the guitars kick in and disembowl your aural tubes. The vocals really stick out on this track. Track 6, "Letter From Prison," has somewhat repetetive guitars, but amazing vocals. "Unheard" provides some nice grooves, and "Going to India" has, surprisingly, a nice Indian touch and some female vocals at the end. The closer, "Before We Die," is relatively slow and somber, picking up in a rising sequence in the middle of the song (after a great flute solo), Craig's vocals rise and become more and more shrill until his voice reaches a snarl just for a syllable and everything drops back to the previous, quiet levels.
About the only complaints that I have with this album is the fact that the drummer does not stick out much, although that doesn't take away from the overall album. The only track that I'm not particularly fond of is no. 10, "Benkei," which sounds too much like punk and is quite repetetive, although still passably good.
I highly recommend this album to practically anyone. But, if you like Toby Keith, stay away. Everyone else, BUY."