published: 23 /
7 /
2004
Label:
Small Stone Records
Format: CD
Blues-based heavy rock from New Jersey power trio, Halfway Gone, which proves to be a strong improvement on their sludgy debut offering
Review
Formed by Solarized bassist Lou Gorra, New Jersey power trio Halfway Gone shares many of its parent band’s features, heavy rock in the mould of Kyuss (particularly detectable on'Hammer’s Fallin’ and Monster Magnet, and add some southern rock.
Halfway Gone has sped up since its occasionally sludgy debut; the band has obviously absorbed the lessons of Motorhead on songs like 'Couldn’t Even Find a Fight' and '“Burn Em Down'. There’s some of the bluesy feel of the 70s rock scene, epitomized on the group’s cover of Deep Purple’s 'Black Night' complete with some Hammond organ by guitarist Lee Stuart (he also plays a honkin’ harmonica intro on 'Good Friend'). Along with hefty drumming by Dan Gollin, and Gorra’s slightly gravelly vocals, the group gives a very solid performance. The songs aren’t much of a stretch lyrically, but do have solid riffs to fall back on. The album ends with the swinging, organ driven 'Mr. Nasty Time', which is certainly a bit different from the run of the mill stoner rock fare.
The self-titled also boasts some of the best production on a heavy rock record in recent memory; Bob Pantella, who also mastered the record, will undoubtedly be getting calls from other bands which want a similarly meaty but clean sound.
A consistently strong album, 'Halfway to Gone' is one of the best things to come out of the Small Stone label.
Track Listing:-
1
Turnpike
2
Couldn't Even Find a Fight
3
Hammer's Fallin'
4
Slidin' Down the Razor
5
Black Night
6
Good Friend
7
His Name Was Leroi (King of Troi)
8
Burn 'Em Down
9
The Other Side
10
Out on the Road
11
King of Mean
12
Mr. Nasty Time
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