Search - Fretblanket :: Junkfuel

If a big shiny Olympic-style medal were given to the English band that sounded the most American, this distinctly Anglican quartet (one of the guys' names is Clive for chrissakes) would be sportin' the gold. Surprisingly Fretblanket have transcended the Seattleisms most American-sounding foreign bands have opted for recently, and they head straight for America's breadbasket, the great Midwest. They take a hefty swing at Soul Asylum's pensive, hearty, and highly melodic angst ridden anthems, without blatantly nicking their moves. Vocalist/guitarist Will Copley's raspy croaking gives an edge to the music that some of the slick production has polished off and he adds subtle vocal hooks that make songs like "Twisted," "Transmission," and "Direct Approach" attractive without being gaudy. Only in the last few songs of the record do Fretblanket seem to lose their focus and meander off into some long-winded, rambling songs, but just for a song or two. It's good solid rock and roll, in spite of its sketchy origins. --Adem Tepedelen