Rock N' Roll may never die, but it goes in for transplants regularly. Rockers Guardian once again asked Steve Taylor to assist in the surgery, which is only partially successful. There are probably a lot of hits here, but the decisions are safe ones, resulting in a few interesting pop numbers (if the Beatles had been saved, they would have sung "Revelation") and a lot of serviceable, unremarkable music.
2 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse November 1997Reviewed by Alex KlagesWhen I heard that Guardian was releasing a new album, my first thought was, "OK, is this going to be an alternative album or a metal album?" Well, the verdict is in, and the answer is: both! As the title suggests, Bottle Rocket is a compact, yet explosive package of songs-fun, yet with a serious edge. The album starts innocuously enough, with the friendly lines, "Welcome dear listener/Are you…The Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Josh SpencerBetter than Buzz, a progression in their attempts at creating an authentic "alternative" sound; some cool guitar effects and sounds, but this is still a little too overproduced for me. 2.5 tocksThe Phantom Tollbooth 1997Reviewed by Shari LloydI'm doing my darnedest to like this because Steve Taylor is involved, but it isn't a good marriage. The sound is characteristically Guardian, and it rawks. The lyrics are an uneasy blend of Taylor and various members of Guardian. In this committee, nobody got his way, but it did yield a lot of good tunes and back beats. 2.5 tocksSimilar sounding releases
2000The Mustard SeedsRed
1995PlankeyeThe Spark
2000SundryThe Toughest No-Brainer Yet
2000SkyparkOverbluecity
1996Aunt BettysAunt Bettys
2003King's XBlack Like SundayMore from Guardian
1999Smashes -- The Best of Guardian
2000Live!
1999Sunday Best
1990Fire and Love
1993Miracle Mile
1998The Yellow and Black Attack Is Back!
