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Weapon Head: Surgical Smile

Alternative/Melodic Hard Rock

3.75/5.0

Independent/Self-promotion
www.myspace.com/weaponheadmusic
www.weaponhead.com.au
Review: Craig Hartranft,  07.12.2010

With some international notoriety under their collective chins, including opening for Heaven and Hell and Alice Cooper at 2007's Locobazooka Festival and several songwriting awards in England and their native Australia, Aussie band Weapon Head hopes to increase their fame with their debut release Surgical Smile. Their rock, fortunately for us, is not another rip-off of that other band from down under.

Instead, Weapon Head marries the melodic hook sensibility of classic 80's sleaze with the knotty, eclectic, and sometimes urban, feel of alternative rock, possibly stealing some pages from Alice in Chains, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Beastie Boys. Listening to Bullshit Has No Sound or Surgical Smile it's clear Weapon Head has the song in mind, developing them with rhythmic precision, strong vocal arrangements, and persuasive hooks. Weapon Head isn't afraid to lay down a heavier groove as found on March of Misery. Then they invoke a bit of urban design on Swanksta Gangsta and mighty amusing and pleasing Got No Money. Rescue Me could match any modern, label-pleasing, motif with its hearty riffage and pumping rhythm section.

Overall, the songs here are brisk, efficient, and sometimes eclectic and over ambitious. There's with little wasted movement or thought here, but much room to expand (which I gather Weapon Head will do in a live show). Weapon Head's Surgical Smile is neither old school or new school, but a sufficient, innovative, and enjoyable amalgam of both, and enough to keep listening and maybe wanting more. Recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Weapon Head's Surgical Smile is neither old school or new school, but a sufficient, innovative, and enjoyable amalgam of both, and enough to keep listening and maybe wanting more.

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