So, what does pinkeye d'gekko have going for them, other than an idiosyncratic band name? A strong southern rock sound that's as fiery as grandma's Shrimp Creole, a record strung with reckless country throw-downs filled primarily with songs about mid-America lovin' and flecks of spiritual musings and parody. These guys make bands like Third Day sound like sugar-free Kool-Aid.
The record slams and sputters about the road in its first half like an old Chevy, covering southern rock and alt-country and blues within the first six tracks, with some hilariously immoderate (but harmless) song themes. S. R. Mahoney either has a great sense of humor, or a complete lack of taste to be willing to pen songs like "Girls of Arkansas" (doesn't the title reveal everything?). Given the parody and humor in later tracks -- "The Velvet Fizz" seems to be about the moral vacuum as created by certain unrestricted technological advancements ("if I plant the garden/then I can decide what will grow")- I'm more convinced it's the former.
Dry Clothes for the Drowning will likely be too much to take for many listeners, but for fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd and loud, strongly southern-flavored rock n' roll, this might be just what the doctor ordered. You have to admit -- as hard as it may be to get into, pinkeye d'gekko does what they do fairly well.
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