Album Details

• Artist: Sweethead
• Album: Sweethead
• Label: www.sweethead.net
• Year of Release: 2010
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2010-12-29

So is Sweethead a new band or just a side-effort by Troy Van Leeuwen? The guitarist/songwriter for Queens of the Stone Age is the prime mover behind this debut, though smoky and salty singer Serrina Sims is getting most of the face time. as you might expect, there are crunchy riffs galore, with a hint of glam and classic rock that is almost a prerequisite for LA bands. But it isn't bad!

It might be easy to smell calculation in the Runaways' groove on "The Great Disruptors," the shoegaze drone of "Running Out," and the gritty Buzzcock-y "Sinkhole International," but the riffs are so smart who cares? Songs like "P.I.G", "Remote Control Boys" and "Amazing Vanishing Conquest" rock with authority, and even their seediness is credible.

Those expecting metal from Sweethead will be saddened, but those who loved Berlin, Bowie and early 80s LA will dig this for what it is worth: a ROCK record, influences and excesses waved proudly. This is a self-titled debut that might give Van Leeuwen pause if he is considering this a one-off.

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