Gozu

Peep it

     

REVIEW from StonerRock.com: Gozu – Self Titled Review by John Pegoraro (StonerRock.com) Self released Release date: February 2008 Don't expect a whole lot of Wargasm from Gozu, the new racket featuring the former's Barry Spillberg. Apart from a couple of instances of thrashy double bass, this Boston-based four-piece (along with Spillberg, there's Marc Gaffney on vocals/guitar, Ralph Whittemore on bass, and Doug Sherman on guitar) is more akin to the likes of Queens of the Stone Age. And for those dismayed by Josh Homme and Co's recent output, this is cause for rejoicing. Apart from “Truth Weighs a Ton,” which hews just a little too closely to post-Rated R escapades, Gozu lays it on mud-thick and groove-friendly, just like the Queens' debut way back when. Even better, while there are some similarities between the two albums, Gozu doesn't dogmatically beg, borrow, and steal riffs wholesale. Sure, you might be able to draw a bead from “Meth Cowboy” to “Regular John” or from “Barry Time” to “Mexicola,” but Gozu throws in more than enough twists to make the songs their own (besides, Gaffney's a much better vocalist than Josh Homme – the dude can sing). I'm singling out “Meth Cowboy” and “Rise Up” as the best of the seven tracks, but “Northside,” with its caustic Boston attitude and “Traci Lords,” which approaches King's X territory, also deserve mention. Boston seems to be going through another musical resurgence and Gozu's another fine example of the city's new breed of bands. These guys are definitely worth checking out.