Music trends come and go. Old time country is hot right now. Rap and hiphop are everywhere. Grunge had its day. One thing that has remained constant is the need for good old-fashioned, straight ahead, driving, guitar-bass-and-drum rock 'n' roll. Podunk, by the group of the same name (no, there isn't a song called "Podunk", a la Big Country), is an album that fills a void the listener may not even realize was there.
Podunk, like Vigilantes of Love and Ed Roland of Collective Soul, was once signed to Core Records. Say what you will about that now-defunct label's lack of promotion and record of mismanagement, but you have to say one positive thing about them: they definitely could recognize talent. Jason Touchette (guitar/vocals), Paul Soroski (bass), Bryan Jones (guitars), and new drummer Brian Hays have created an outstanding follow up to Throwin' Bones (4 of 5) that may surpass that album when all is said and done.
"The Creeper" features blazing guitar by Touchette and Jones, and is a tale of someone being trailed by a) a stalker; b) a nagging problem that just won't go away; or c) Satan, if you take a Christian view of the lyrics. Touchette's vocals evoke Chris Robinson (Black Crowes), but are more polished -- he can croon, or scream with the best of them. "Closer to Free" could be a relationship song, or about God:
When I was born, I hit the ground running
Always feeling like I needed something
But I was blind, I did not see you coming
Well, it must be love...it must be
I want to be...closer to free
I was looking for you,
When I found me...
"Killing Day" should be the first single from this CD -- the guitar is amazing here, with Soroski's bass part providing a complementary background. I have heard this song live, which actually detracts from the recording -- it is somewhat toned down here, but still manages to hit hard. "Get It Off Your Chest" uses a Collective Soul bass riff and features Touchette on the voice box, a tool made famous by Peter Frampton. Lest you think this cute or retro, it works here.
"Smile" owes something to the Who's "Baba O'Riley", and expresses the idea of simply living instead of getting bogged down in the things we cannot change. "I'll Never Be The Same" regrets a lost love, and could be a Black Crowes outtake, with better vocals. "Glad You're Gone" could be its companion piece, stating how much better the subject is now that the relationship is over.
Podunk is probably best known for having opened for King's X on their last tour. Music fans in the Austin, Texas area know them well -- the rest of the country should. Take the best of Collective Soul, Tesla, and Black Crowes, mix them up, add a shot of Rod Stewart to the vocals, and you have an idea of Podunk's sound. This is my favorite new album of 2002.
4.5 tocks
