Search - Eric McFadden :: Diamonds to Coal

Make that a 4 1/2

atomicbwax | The Forbidden Zone | 03/08/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"At first I really didn't like this album. I'd seen these guys perform live a few times and this album just didn't measure up to the energy of their live shows. But then again you can say the same thing about most albums. Upon repeated listens this album really grew on me. This album, and the band themselves, is hard to discribe. At a live show I heard it described as heavy metal played on accoustic instruments. That's kind of misleading because everything is all electrified and amped up, but the fact that's all played on accoustic guitars and a stand-up bass makes this sound very unique. McFadden is probably the best guitar player no one ever heard of, he changes styles a lot and can play just about anything. James Whiton is a fantastic bass player and again this album doesn't do justice to his live performances. His style is unique and often makes his bass more of a percussion instrument than a string instrument. Jeff "The Commander" Anthony is solid on drums. I'd say pick this up of your looking for something new in the rock world that doesn't fit nicely into any category. If you see these guys come to your town for a show you MUST go see them live. An experience not to be missed. Just hope they play their version of Clap Hands or their blistering cover of Black Sabbath (better than the original, one of Tony Iommi's best solos played on an accoustic guitar, Woah)"