Econoline Crush

Sounding something like a mechanized, tame version of countrymen Tea Party, Econoline Crush dropped their sophomore outing in 1995 for EMI Canada as well as Nettwerk Records in the States. Similar to the group's other efforts, Affliction accents the more repetitive qualities of industrial- and pop-flavored alt-rock. The resulting "Nine Inch Pilots" amalgam is tuneful, if not entirely gratifying. The derivative title cut, "Blunt," and many others eclipse more promising numbers like the post-punk-influenced "Close." Vague lyrics are confused with stark poetry in a vain attempt to approximate influential '90s rockers like Nirvana, contributing to a manufactured, antiseptic tone on Affliction. Aggro-alternative completists might enjoy this release, as it is Econoline Crush's darkest and heaviest, but fans left unenthused by the slew of post-Downward Spiral also-rans needn't bother with this Canadian industrial export. ~ Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide