Search - Tsol :: Revenge

Fantastic, classic TSOL

Aaron Oechsli | Redding, CA USA | 04/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is by far my favorite TSOL album -- from any period. From start to finish, there isn't a weak track on it. Though this album still has some punk elements to it, this release is mostly a straight rock outing.The album certainly evokes a gritty feel and a very real sense of the darker side of big city life. The thing that always brings me back to this album is I can identify with the emotion and longing portrayed here. As with all the best albums, I am living the songs as they play. While I may not have been in the exact same situations, something in every song translates into a relatable experience. The immediate standout is "Colors (Take Me Away)" , a gripping account of love and betrayal. "Nothin For You" relates the strange desperation of a junkie and the need to feed his fix. Other standouts include "Still the Same" and the title track, "Revenge".The lyrical content is some of the best on a rock album. The vocals are strong and clear and the musical composition is perfect for relaying the emotion that is contained within.For better or worse, after this album the band became more involved in the LA Rock scene from that era (circa 1987+ think Poison, Great White, etc). The musical and lyrical style change between this and its follow up, "Hit and Run" are very apparent. In the end, TSOL would become one of those bands where none of the original members remained (and also few of their original fans.)That being said, _THIS_ album is an absolute classic. For me it is nearly flawless, even after all of these years. Enjoy.Of interest older fans may be the whereabouts of Joe Wood. He is currently an artist in Long Beach. He also occasionally plays with his band Joe Wood and the Lonely Ones. Their CD "The Lonely Ones" is a very good blues-rock number, with some catchy tracks. Check out his website: http://www.joewoodmusicandart.com/"