I'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 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 Linda T. StonehockerRock 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…Similar sounding releases
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