Album Details

• Artist: Six Finger Satellite
• Album: Half Control
• Label: Load
• Year of Release: 2009
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2009-07-27

A period piece of sorts, this is a set of tunes recorded in 2001, though they were remixed only last year. "Half Control" is more of what you expect from the Providence legends: sharp rock that swings toward power pop or punk with equal ease.

More or less mainstays Jay Ryan and drummer Rick Pelletier were joined by guitarist Joel Kyack and bassist Shawn Greenlee, both of Landed. Ryan's vocals backed by a band more into stripped down rock than other Satellite configurations give the record a Mudhoney-meets-late-period-Sabbath vibe. That is to say, this is a noisy sludgy slab of fun with a slothful, ‘Lude-y center. At times on this record, the band reaches heights of noise and chaos not heard before in their catalog.

Straight on rockers "Thrown Out" and "Herpe Gimme Strength" lead right into more wobbly fare. 60s organ filters through the web of sound on "Artificial Light," while occasional bursts of ugly noise send "Live Legs" and the title track over the edge. Whereas other SFS releases were erratic or momentarily obsessed with a particular sound, "Half Control" is solid, and solid rock, all the way through. Six Finger Satellite may wear their influences on their sleeves, but once they kick in and bring the noise, nothing matters but their own considerable chops.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2009-07-27 dscanland Said:

Wow! I had no idea Six Finger Satellite were even still around. Thanks for educating.
Not Rated