| CD REVIEW Lodown |
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Band : Lodown According to the members of this band, living in their Canadian hometown of Windsor (don’t confuse with the city in the UK) is like living in Detroit...which ain’t even that amazing, since at most places the only thing that separates the two is a mile of water (or less) and a different citizenship! Individually, the band members (included are singer Mike Edwards, guitarist Dave Beacom, bassist Chris Martin, and drummer Steve Brough) are said to come from some of the most influencial bands in the area’s history, each member nevertheless carrying with him a diverse musical background, which is a positive aid in the songwriting process! The band members were brought together in the Summer of 2000 by fate and friendship, and the immediate result was the 6-track 800x600 EP, which has long since been sold out! Following an assault on the US club circuit via extensive touring which saw the band honing their live skills to explosive live appearances, the band set to recording the full-length demo-CD Shadowbox Broadcast, which they issued in March of 2002 (the track-list containing re-recordings of three songs off the EP, plus a re-worked and severely expanded fourth). Just like the EP, that new release sold out in no time during the multiple live appearances (still concentrated on the US) which followed in promotion of their new material. The guys then crossed paths with famed Canadian producer Darius Szcepaniak (has worked with the likes of Alkaline, Big Sugar, Black Crowes, Dream Warriors, Kim Mitchell, Matthew Good Band, Mindflow, Sicboy, Sum 41, Teenage Head, Twigg, and quite a bundle more) which led to a series of recording sessions from which the October 2006 released Black Horse was born! The beauty of this album comes through its diversity, and with cited influences as diverse as Soundgarden, Clutch, Cop Shoot Cop, Led Zeppelin, Barkmarket, Quicksand, Dio, Iron Maiden, Kyuss, King’s X, Mastodon, and (Bon Scott-era) AC/DC, you might imagine the boys wanting to bring out those influences in their music, depending on the song! Still, the emphasis is on Grunge-based Rock (most of the album, with “Somerset” of a somewhat calmer emotional nature) and Stoner (check “Century” or the great album title song for reference), with truly wonderful guitar work and a singer who shouts/ screams/ sighs his merry heart out in a most prolific and diverse way! The whole backed up with a truly steady rhythm section foundation. Like on their previous full-length (which mày have been released on Delinquent Records, or at least have been distributed through that label), three songs (“One In A Million”, “Century”, and “Redeemer”) were recorded again, most probably because the band felt that they could give it in a much better rendition now, than on the original recording. Check out the couple of songs posted at myspace.com/lodown. The band went through some organisational changes early this year, getting rid of everyone they did businass with except for their manager and sponsors Jägermeister. Around the same time, they also announced having demoed a total of 12 new tracks for an upcoming new album. Video recordings were done for a DVD, but having tried to edit the material 4 or 5 times in a row, the band found the stuff eventually didn’t meet their expectations as far as being representative, so plans for the DVD were put on hold (though some of the footage might be put on-line). Waiting around for a new home to put out a new album, the band tried out their new material in live environment, only to be met with warm receptions! In July the band was able to announce they had signed to MSK for the European distribution of their 2006 Black Horse album...which is why we’re now able to review it, see? Another positive thing, was that they also signed onto the roster UK based LJR Booking, meaning we can expect the band to come cruising in Europe...well, at least the UK...for a couple of weeks of shows (and drinkin’) come next Spring. Either befóre or àfter that, the guys should be entering some Californian studio to record a follow-up to Black Horse. The possibility to use the DVD footage was uttered again, possibly as an extended EPK (something to look out for with the new album, I suppose!). November 8 saw the band announce some rather sad news, as their practice space (situated in a protected warehouse where also Fiftywatthead and Blasphemy had their practice spaces) was burnt to the ground in an early morning fire. Although most of their stuff was saved by the fire department, it was still uncertain whether none was “touched” by the water, and of course the band(s) is(are) now temporarily without practice rooms! 90/100 Tony. |