Now that the effect of the self-administered magic potion that kept me in hibernation for the last few weeks has worn off – I’m back!! Today I will fill this column with my comments on the US Compilation CD. NOTE: Given all of the rage that Emergenza created in the US it is difficult for one not to build high expectations. Especially since this was Emergenza’s DEBUT year in that country, we are at the edge of our seats to see what the bands produced. The expectations – both good and bad have been met. How’s that you ask? The good is that the level of quality among the bands is very high, the sound the skill as well as the production are focused and balanced, able to bring the recording to a very high standard. We are faced with a professional product – in great favor of the bands. The bad is that the songs lack a touch of creativity. That ‘daring’ and unexpected side that, those who (as yet) don’t have to conform to the expectations and rules of the market should be exploring – let your creative juices flow!! 80% of the product (and the bands) on this album are ready for mainstream radio stations – which, as far as I’m concerned is not only a mistake, but also a great shame. Guys – you’re not yet part of the mechanism of the marketplace and already you’re so conformed and aligned?! The first slot on the album is given to the GHETTOBILLIES from Chicago. It is the seal on what was just said. Hiding Out is a perfect song – catchy, easy to sing along, played on a rock and roll base of a ‘crunch’ guitar riff where some vocals shine through – a great balance between rhythm and melody. Sticking to it, they finish off with a locomotive like rhythm. Not to worry, the piece is good, the guys are OK. Mom can sleep peacefully… When the second track takes off – BARTLEY FRITZSHE, also from Chicago, with Hello Hello - we find ourselves faced with the fact that the impression of ‘security’ given by the first song was an isolated incident. Here we are confronted with a song whose rhythm is repetitive, where the melody is easy to remember and is answered by the synchronized guitars and percussion. The pre-chorus sweetens the deal. Wow – it’s quite good this song – really grabs you. (GASP!! So proper in the opening… oh Beatles, it if wasn’t for you… but still…. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN AGGRESSIVE SIDE MISSING here!!) Now we have CHAD LAMARSH from Boston with Scream Out Loud. The atmosphere is more faint, maybe even darker. Must be the melody – a bit more painful, melancholy, a result of the ‘minor’ guitar chords. The verse however, not particularly sharp, is more like a prelude to the opening… yesss…… phenomenal!! The chorus is grand, where the distant guitars reinforce the pace of the already captivating rhythm. The melody gets trapped in your brain, with no way out. This song could be a real summer trend! PROFESSIONALS!! It’s DC’s ROCKMASTER GENERAL’S turn next with Need 5 Drones. The song is an extreme cross between melodic accents from the 80’s and pseudo-latin influence of singing in Spanish and the sound of a trombone. The idea could be good but it’s hard to tell where it will go. The song itself could give the impression of ‘fragmentation’ so it would help knowing the band’s other songs to understand them and be able to pass a fair judgment on them. TILL NEXT TIME!! Track 5 goes to SANITY from Buffalo with Close my Eyes. A very likable piece, with the easy melodic lines and intriguing verses (acoustic guitars, violins and a warm and reassuring voice) and a very ‘sing-along’ type chorus (melodic, echoing guitars). We could go back to the words said for Chad LaMarsh, but the song in question is less nauseating and more uninteresting. WOW! VOODO KINGS from Chicago are next with What’s Your Sin. Beginning with a pure rock and roll riff, more subtle at first only to evolve into an unexpected ‘attack’ in an aggressive funky-blues style – confident and powerful. Continuous moves, and pleasant changes in the rhythm and ech