(Discovery)
You just kinda find yourself in the middle of North Hollywood, the debut release from Slush. The in-your-face lead track, "Throw Me A Line," might cause you to wonder whether you've made a serious wrong turn, but don't mistake the aggression, energy and volume. There's really nothing dangerous or threatening here. It's just four young dudes expressing themselves.
Slush guides you through a neighborhood of grunge-inspired alternarock and garage pop on this twelve block tour. It's the same type of commercial territory which Bush roams, but infused here with Southern California quirks, sunshine and a sense of humor. Perhaps it's no coincidence, though, that Slush also makes mention of its urban, metropolitan roots - like the respective inner suburbs with which both bands identify, the surroundings are accessible, familiar and identifiable.
"Mercury De Sade," the first single from the release, is a highly fueled burst of guitar-driven energy. Variations on this power performance formula appear throughout the disc, most notably on "Stumble," "Milla," and "Last Drop." And when Slush switches gears and slows down a bit, as on "So Volatile" and "Sleep Forever," frontman Johnne Peters showcases his vocal range over an intricate and textured layer of sounds. Peters also has a knack for the bizarre, hence "Amoeba," a psychedelic groove which periodically mutates into mosh pit thrash. With all sincerity, he woos an object of desire by comparing himself to the microscopic, one-celled creature. Amazingly, it's a pickup technique that not only makes you take notice, but actually works.
For the record, North Hollywood has character, grit and spark. There's quite a bit happening here with enough hip and interesting spots to warrant frequent visits. Yours to discover.
