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Guiltmaker band vocals, shared by Dan Radde and
Shaun Drees, are oftentimes combined to sound something
like Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell and his unusual
front man urgency. Driven By Arms is a short 'n sour EP
from this Tampa, FL rock group. Its members have hardcore roots,
although this effort finds it moving in a more post-punk direction,
with Jawbox and Quicksand counted as influences.
EPs are to be measured by a popular potato chip slogan: they
ought to dare you to eat just one. If they pass, you'll want a
whole bag. However, if they fail, you'll walk away having barely
disturbed the surface of the dip dish. Guiltmaker, unfortunately,
fails at this simple EP quiz. Granted, its music is not as embarrassing
as George Costanza double-dipping his chip at a funeral in that
notable Seinfeld episode. But it won't turn you into a
hopeless snacking fiend, either. Four samples are quite enough,
thank you.
The biggest problem with Driven By Arms is that these
songs urgently reach out for the listener, yet fail to grab and
hold them tight. They're missing that GI Joe kung fu grip or something.
There are plenty of emotive guitar parts, sitting side-saddle
with equally expressive vocals, and while each element is talking
a lot, so to speak, they're not really saying too much. Guiltmaker
isn't making anybody sorry for their sins. Heck, it isn't even
a guilty pleasure. Instead, it is like a potato chip that is easily
avoidable. Such party pooper carbohydrates nearly force you to
nibble on green vegetables, instead.
-Dan MacIntosh
Track listing:
1. Connected
2. Silent Eyes
3. The Current
4. Mark The Walls
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