HITTEGODS
"Flower
Power" (Demo; 2008)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"Flower Power" earns a half-guitarsaw more than "All for Rock'n'Roll" and not just because this demo CD has four songs, whereas the previous demo only had three (although that's certainly a plus).
No, "Flower Power" gets a better review because I liked this CD a little more than I did "All for Rock'n'Roll." The band has firmed up their sound since the last demo, and "Flower Power" sounds stronger, more confident, and more like a band who knows really what they're doing.
The Neil Young influences are still here but the band has stepped away from them, just a bit. Lead vocalist Mikko Lähdeoja doesn't sound (to coin the phrase from my previous review) "off," here. Instead, his voice is more solid and, although there's a touch of Neil Young here, you don't automatically think "Hey, that sounds like Neil Young." The guitars are a little heavier and the rhythms a little deeper and faster. Not much, but enough so that you'll notice.
Lyrically, Hittegods and Neil Young continue to share the talent for writing politically-charged songs with a melancholy feel to them. Of course, these days, I suppose it's hard not to write about the state of the world.
"Flower Power" is a marked improvement on the band's previous demo, and don't forget that I kinda liked that one, too.
Hittegods: Mikko Lähdeoja - lead Vocals, lead Guitars; Anssi Korkiakoski - bass, backing vocals; HP Nummela - drums.
For more information, check out http://www.hittegods.net.
"All for Rock'n'Roll" (Demo;
2007)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
On this three track demo, the music of Hittegods sounds more like Neil Young than anyone else out there. They've got the big fuzzy guitars (both rhythm and lead), the hook-heavy choruses (much more so than Mr. Young) and the high-pitched vocalist who sounds just slightly ... well ... off.
The three tracks here are all very well produced and are certainly entertaining enough. Fans of Neil Young's music in the style of "Keep on Rockin' in the Free World" will find plenty to enjoy here although, of course, comparing anyone to the legendary Neil Young is probably unfair.
"All for Rock'n'Roll" is nothing you've never heard before, but it's done well enough to hold your attention, at least for the three tracks featured here. I don't know how the band's sound would hold up for a full-length CD but, for a running time of just under 11 minutes, it works just fine.
Hittegods: Mikko Lähdeoja - lead Vocals, lead Guitars; Anssi Korkiakoski - bass, backing vocals; HP Nummela - drums.
For more information, check out http://www.hittegods.net.
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.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 06 Oct 2008 02:19:45 -0500.
