This record comes in like some strange hybrid of Faster Pussycat and Hole with a slight sliver of old punk shoved in there. It’s competent, dirty, basic glam rock in tattoos and attitude. Stacy Stray plays a very decent guitar and lays down some taste-laden leads. Check out the wah solo near the end of “In the City”.
The rhythm section – Chris Nova on drums and Robby Risk on bass – make no great errors or break any new ground - which is just fine. Keeping it simple and solid is a fast dying art.
This brings us to CJ herself. She writes focused, anger-driven lyrics and delivers them with a solid, believable voice. If you like Taime Downe – and personally, I do – you will also enjoy this release. It made me drink my beer faster. I’m betting that this EP is a purge and a transition to the next level. Scream therapy preparing her for a grand push into the mainstream. With this EP I kept looking for the hit song but couldn’t put my finger on one. I don’t think she ever intended to give it all over on Back From the Brink.
Look for the follow up to have a few items not found here. That undeniable magic bullet of a hit song, full band writing credits, more obvious melody and a big name producer. I think CJ is just bringing the bat a little further back and planting her feet before trying to send one out of the park.
- Blame Me
- In The City
- Skin Deep
- Shallow Dive
- Dirty Girl
- The Best It Gets
