Rough Edge: Full On The Mouth CD Reviews

FULL ON THE MOUTH

"Collide" (Atlantic/Pioneer Music Group; 1998)

Full On The Mouth are one of many bands exploring the alchemy of electronic-influenced heavy rock. Luckily for everyone, Full On The Mouth has separated themselves from the pack with a good deal of melody rather than brute industrial cacophony. Full On The Mouth use drum machines and programming to enhance the rhythmic strength of the songs rather than the means to carry the songs. The guitars, bass, drums, and vocals are still the focal point of the music; this critical element makes "Collide" an enjoyable rock'n'roll adventure.

"People Mover" with its infectious chorus, compact rhythm, and snappy beats is solid radio material. The cadence of the lyrics for "Rainbow" mesh perfectly with the music. Slower tunes like "Uncle Dick" and "Habitual" have a trance-like quality providing the disc with subtle diversity. The vocal tracks on "The Hairdresser" are superb and "Future 1970" takes a hilarious review of how the way the world viewed the future as told through the famous cartoon "The Jetsons."

"My Infection" is a lazy number, but the frantic and edgy "Another" quickly restores the momentum of the disc with an articulate balance of anxious beats and distorted guitars. "Waiting" trudges along, yet the band redeems itself immediately with "Mass Transit" which is a vigorous musical ode of obsession.

Hailing from Flint, Michigan the band was formerly known as Lost Tribe and has had some measure of success in the mid-West. The band is just left of the mainstream sound heard on the radio. The philosophy of Full On The Mouth is to strive for constant evolution. Although "Collide" is a solid effort the band will likely have to beef up their delivery and improve their songwriting to leave their mark.

Personnel for Full On The Mouth's debut "Collide" are Dwight Mohrman on vocals, Grant Mohrman on guitar and background vocals, Andrew Barancik on bass, and John Knox on drums. "Collide" was produced by Blumpy (who has worked with Filter and Henry Rollins). The production is stellar; everything is crystal clear in the mix. A good balance between the vocals and the music has been achieved which many bands strive for, but not always hit the mark on debut discs.

Check out the band's website at http://www.fullonthemouth.com to learn more.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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