Third of Never plays rock music in the manner it was intended to be played. Here on their fourth effort Austerity, band members Jon Dawson, CJ Grogan, Vince Grogan and Mike Polilli are joined by Kurt Reil of the Grip Weeds and John “Rabbit” Bundrick, whose keyboard work has supplied artists such as Free, the Who, Bob Marley and Roger Waters with memorable moments.
Loud, brash and bristling with attitude, Third of Never’s Austerity (JAM Recordings) swings, shakes and shudders in perpetual motion. Impressions of heritage hard rockers like the Who, Blue Oyster Cult and Aerosmith, dimpled with titanic pop-scented hooks and harmonies, man the material on the disc – creating an instantly powerful effect.
Swaggering vocals, aided by crushing guitar figures, potent keyboard fills and feral drum rolls cement “Dig The View,” “Kidnapped Information” and “Run Silent Run Deep,” making for some of the very best straight-ahead rock to come sailing down the river in quite a while. The title track of the platter, as well as “If You Don’t Keep Me Happy” also key in as specific highlights.
Energetically executed, Austerity captures Third of Never’s natural talent note for note, riff for riff. In this day and age of technology-obsessed perfection, how refreshing it is to hear a band operating in the raw.
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