Rez

This is Rez with an identity crisis. Probably due to many of the songwriting credits going to bassist and keyboardist Jim Denton, this release is dangerously close to being new wave and a million miles from the band's heavy metal/blues roots. The single from the album, "S.O.S.," is nearly all keyboards and drum machine -- the only thing that makes this a Rez song is Glenn Kaiser's distinctive voice. The end of side one features (of all things) a ditty called "Armageddon Appetite," complete with silly squeaky voices and ambient synth noises. Now, in fairness, there is much here that is more in character with what listeners are accustomed to. "Souls for Hire" recalls ZZ Top. And "Crimes" and "It's You" would fit nicely on virtually any Rez Band record from the '80s. For a real trip, try on "Beyond the Gun" -- the band is never this spooky. ~ Mark W. B. Allender, All Music Guide