The key to a good band is sometimes found no further than the individual behind the sound board. In this case, with
Garrison's
Be a Criminal, the evidence is found no further than legendary producer/musician J. Robbins. While Robbins can seemingly turn any act into a well-oiled machine, there usually has to be some talent to begin with. And
Garrison no doubt has that talent. On this ten-song disc, influences as vast as
the Pixies and
Drive Like Jehu can be heard without any manner of awkwardness in between.
Be a Criminal plays out as nicely as the crime which it describes with its song titles. Each song title reads like a step on committing a crime. Included are: "Know the Locale," "Dump the Body," "Cover the Tracks With Cash," and "Accept What You've Done, Accept Who You Are." Lyrically, the band is focusing on a darker side of humanity, but not in a morbid sense. Songs deal with the crimes people can commit on a daily basis, whether intentional or unintentional. All in all, Garrison has formulated a great pop/rock record which has a wide range of appeal to all sorts of music listeners. ~ Kurt Morris