Linwood- Burn Effect

ARTIST: Linwood

ALBUM: Burn Effect

LABEL: Waxsaw Records

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 8-31-08

Based out of Mississippi, Linwood play a clean, catchy brand of straight-ahead rock 'n' roll with just a touch of southern rock. Tracks like "Lie to You" and "Believe" are reminiscent of the hook-filled sound of early '90s alternative pop mainstays like Matthew Sweet and The Smithereens, while "Fall" and "Are U Awake" add a touch of bluesy wah-wah to the guitars for a touch more dirtiness, and "Your Kind" adds just a hint of punk overdrive to propel the song past the more relaxed pace that typifies the rest of the album. If there's a complaint with this album, it's that in places it sounds almost too slick and commercial, but that actually has less to do with the recording quality or songwriting than with lead singer Bo Lindsey's distinctive vocals. He has a definite tendency to over-pronounce his lyrics so that every line gets an extra "ah" sound appended to the end of it: "Lie to me and lie to you-ah / Lie to me about something new-ah" or "To be with you, be with you-ah / I'll lead or follow-ah." As noticeable as it is at first, it's more a personal touch to Lindsey's vocal approach than the kind of rock star affectation employed by the likes of former Creed singer Scott Stapp. In any case, this is a supremely accessible rock record, full of catchy hooks and infectious choruses, and overall extremely hard not to like.

Visit the band at www.linwoodmusic.net.