Band : Empire State Troopers

Album Title :Upstate Again

Label : One Cell Records

Distributor : Suburban - Bertus

Release Date :2008

Review : CDEP

At first glance, one notices the crop of headlines and credits listed under the Empire State Troopers photo on the bio sheet. Mainstream magazines are singing the praises of this band which send me two months ago this CDEP. The reviewers on the bio didn't lie (and that's saying something). We are talking indie stoner/70s rock with a certain catchy and clever dynamic.   If Empire State Troopers can conjure up vivid images of Melvins, Jesus Lizard, Budgie and Totimoshi at this stage, then it is clear that they have massive potential.

When this release comes to mind I immediately come to think of the vocal performance from Kelly Murphy, I guess it's a matter of taste but I really like her clean, but yet gravely intoxicated tones reminding me of Dawn Crosby (Detente, Fear Of God, R.I.P.), Debbie Gun (Sentinel Beast) and surprisingly by Death Angel vocalist Mark Osegueda. The tunes and hooks are soulful and banged out roughly; this is an oily, enjoyable performance with plenty of groove and attitude. Sounding like these guys and girl set up in the studio and just plugged in and played, putting all overproduced elements aside, making Upstate Again more raw and powerful, giving it the live organic vibe. As a result, the overall mix has a decidedly warm sound, with the expected rough edges.   “ Water street down” stands out with a great near-stoner tempo structure and effective early Soundgarden(“Slaves and bulldozers”) guitar crunch, but all of the tracks are equally enjoyable.

This six tracker is a worthwhile purchase, albeit short, and I quite look forward to more recorded material, particularly since this album was produced over a year ago. A band to be reckoned with indeed.

Cosmicmasseur.