Search - Walking Wounded :: Artificial Hearts

Musical Tour de Force from Walking Wounded

06/24/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Artificial Hearts" by Walking Wounded is an excellent mix of musical styles, ranging from rock to reggae to country. The best tune is the opening track "Thousand Mile Stare", a hard charging rocker with lyrical content that refers to the Beach Boys seminal album "Pet Sounds", and describes the loss of innocence that came with the mental struggles of Beach Boy leader Brian Wilson. Over a thunderous guitar riff and drum beat that drives this song, vocalist Michael Packard laments; "Welcome to the beach boys, Welcome to the sun, But you got lost in the undertow, Life was simple back in 1961". The rest of the CD is equally engaging; "Pleasure Me Now", "Jaurez Savior", and "Dead Palm Trees" are particular standouts. The musicianship is first-rate throughout, as is the production work of John Aliva. Lead vocalist Jerry Giddens gives several strong performances. The lyrics are both interesting and intelligent. On "Dead Palm Trees", for instance, Giddens seems to take aim at the Nashville commercialization of country music; "Where clowns ride unicycle blues, And I walk the line for a cowboy tune". I really dug this CD. If you are a fan of country-alt bands like Wilco or Son Volt, or enjoy bands such as Cracker or The Clash, you will find plenty to like here."