But seriously, when the various members of this band sat down together and set about the task of finding a moniker for themselves did a light-bulb go on over everyone’s head when the name THE CRINGE formed on someone’s lip or were they all just too dumb-founded by the sheer inanity of the name to contradict, nodding their heads in collective agreement purely to avoid an argument?
No matter, we’ll gloss over that one and move on to the music on their debut ‘Scratch The Surface’. I used to like a band called The Smithereens and for a fleeting moment fellow New Yorkers THE CRINGE – that bloody name! – remind me of them but in a heavier way. They work melody strongly into their music while keeping the amps high on volume. The opening trio of ‘Another Day’, ‘Burn’ and ‘Too Many Problems’ have flashes of interest but the remainder of the album is a long, long haul.
Trying to find an identity for THE CRINGE - right that’s it I’ve had enough of that stupid name, from now on I’m calling them THE C – proves an elusive quest. THE C are a homogeneous mass of every other American heavy rock outfit with an ear for radio-friendly pop overtones; you know, like Nickelback etc. I’ll just end this segment by stating that the guitarist in THE C has spent too much time listening to the guitar work of Alex Lifeson from Rush.
I think that THE C realise they are struggling to be interesting by the kind of information they posit in their press blurb. So, I’ve decided to make a new section to this review called:
“6 Facts About THE C To Take Your Mind Off Of Their Music, Or Lack Of”
1. Fact! THE C have managed to have their songs featured on the MTV Special “Lindsey Lohan’s Celebrity Spring Break Style”;
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2. Fact! THE C did a set between Joss Stone and The Doors of The 21st Century at Sunfest in Palm Springs;
3. Fact! The song ‘Burn’ is inspired by lead singer and rhythm guitarist John Cusimano’s relationship with fiancée Rachael Ray, better known for her work on The Food Network;
4. Fact! Matt Power of THE C reminds John Cusimano (the one with the fiancée on the telly) of Tim Robbins’ character in ‘Bull Durham’ because of his “unfocused but powerful, raw energy”. (Different Drum fact: His character is also a bit of a divvy);
5. Fact! Drummer Shawn Pelton has toured with Pavarotti. (I assume as a drummer and not as one third of The Three Tenors; that would be stupid);
6. Fact! John Cusimano wanted to release ‘Scratch The Surface’ on vinyl as well as CD because with vinyl, “You’ve got to listen to the whole thing through, so every tune has to be good”. (Different Drum comment: John has obviously not listened to his own album on vinyl and/or does not know how to lift the needle off a record).
Yes, I know, it’s easy to take the p**s but I’m the one who has to listen to this guff. Look, it’s not that THE C are unremittingly awful but they just bore me to distraction with their over-earnest bland rock music that sounds manufactured and monolithic.
Sigh.
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