Unloco- Becoming i (2003)

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I really hate to see this band typecast as a nu metal band. I've always thought of them as fitting in the active rock realm more than anything. While I can see why it would be easy to classify Unloco as a nu metal band after listening to their first album, Healing, which was much more raw, simplistic and heavy. However, Becoming i has a completely different sound. Songs like Crashing, Drowning In It, and especially Empty draw a lot from post grunge bands but also manage to sound original. There are a lot of standout songs on this CD. Aside from the aforementioned songs, also check out the hard rocker Bruises, Texas (in which you can get a real grasp of the emotion that lead singer Joey Duenas pours into the song), as well as Hands and Knees. This is another fun rock CD with no bad or skippable tracks.

Unloco broke up sometime in 2003 after touring with Disturbed, but Joey Duenas formed a new band shortly after with ex-Slaves On Dope members called Anew Revolution. This band has released one major label CD called Rise they recently released a new CD called iMerica. If you enjoyed Unloco, be sure to give Anew Revolution a listen as well!

10 Second Drop- Review of the Self Titled Album (2006)

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Some have called this album by the Florida based rock quartet boring and uninspired, but honestly I enjoyed it. Yes, if you're looking for a band with a groundbreaking new sound then this isn't the CD for you. If you want some fun, solid rock music to kick back to or music to play while you're doing work outside, then definitely pick this up. Some of the songs I thought stood out are Push, Learn, Always The Victim, Overdrive and Fall Apart. Personally, I didn't think the other songs were bad either. Through and through, this is a solid album. This is definitely a CD to give a chance if you're tired of all the post-grunge/radio rock clones or if you like good old fashioned rock with a modern edge.

Sadly, it would seem that this band disappeared for the time being, there is no Myspace or even a band website for them. However, this fate seems to befall most bands signed to Rock Ridge Music, the band's former record label. With the exception of Psychostick, Reel Big Fish and 9mm Solution, very few bands on that label make it far. Most copies of this album sell for $10 used which is reasonable, but don't go for the $20 new copies of the CD on Amazon. While this is a solid, fun CD, it's definitely not worth shelling out $20+ for.

Short Review-Flybanger Outlived EP (2000)

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I've always appreciated Flybanger's brand of groove based heavy rock. I purchased this EP after checking out their 2001 album, Headtrip To Nowhere. I can't really pick a standout track from this EP, all five of them are good slabs of full throttle hard rock. A nice little bonus is the 2nd disc that comes with this EP. This CD is a CD single for the songs Calvalry and Blind World(both of which appear on Headtrip to Nowhere).

The only real problem with this EP is that it's rather short. But it's an EP, so this is expected. If you like heavy rock like Godsmack then give Flybanger a listen as well.