THE WEED - review added 24th September 2009
Album Review: ...And The Evening Dies (2008)
For fans of: Heavy Rock... and vague nods to proggy punk
Italian band The Weed was formed in June 2002 at, of all places, an old piggery in Piacenza.
In 2003 they recorded Overview, their first demo. The second – called The Weed – was recorded and produced between 2004 and 2005. …And The Evening Dies was recorded in 2008.
The band have had a number of line-up changes through the years. The current version of The Weed consists of Monica Sardella on vocals, Matteo Boccacci on bass, Filippo Cavalli and Carlo Barabaschi on guitar, and Stefano Moruzzi on drums.
Their sound is heavy, loose and raw with hints of punk and out-and-out metal stirred into the melting pot. Monica's vocals are good if unexceptional. She lacks a certain level of individuality in her approach - I've heard several other female singers this year who sound almost identical - and tends to either shout or be silent with nothing in between. To her credit she reminds me of Patti Smith on a few occasions, and you certainly wouldn't know English isn't her native tongue.
The songs blur into one another and don't do anything of any real exception. They aren't bad, in fact I'll go as far as to say they are mostly surprisingly good (and you just know they'll be a riot live), but there's a way to go before The Weed become mahoosive. On balance, this is an average album from a band with a likeable sound. Worth keeping an eye and ear on future releases!
Check out... The drumming. He's a bit handy to be honest.
Track List:
1. Daybreak
2. Restless
3. ...And The Evening Dies
4. Silence
5. Brand New Me
6. Alone
7. Your Choice
Artist's website(s): The Weed , MySpace
