Tweak'd Out, Strung Up and Redlined is nowhere near as extreme as its name. Rather, it's a pedestrian take on classic rock. Bluesy riffs, vaguely melodic vocals, and a bouncy rhythm section show a strong affinity for the '70s. The cowbell and stabbing riffs of "Tears of the Moon" owe a huge debt to
Mountain's "Mississippi Queen." "Cockblocked" aims for
the Stooges via
Guns N' Roses; the driving rock of "Mobscene" runs
Led Zeppelin through
Black Sabbath and psychedelia. But mimicry does not equal songwriting. Hooks are scarce. The production, which is natural-sounding but dull, doesn't help. Individually the players have tasty licks up their sleeves -- the guitarist does a mean
Jimi Hendrix impression -- but collectively they don't add up to much.
Eighteen Wheels Burning are a garage band with good chops, but they're better off covering the bands they ape. ~ Cosmo Lee