New Artists
2005.07.05
Cheryl Hill Rocks! That's what her press pack declares, anyway, and we won't dispute it. The Nashville artist's straightforward hard rock has a slight tinge of country blues with an alt edge, and although it doesn't particularly sound like Joan Jett, you'll hear some of that Runaways-era Jett attitude in Hill's music.
If Our Lady Peace, Jesus Jones, Jeff Buckley and U2 had a baby, it'd probably sound like Rotoscope. Guitarists/singers Courtney Totushek and John Athayde blend their respective styles well (Totushek is an accomplished acoustic singer-songwriter, and Athayde is a mad scientist of guitar effects and production), resulting in shimmery, driving alt rock that makes us eager to hear the full-length that Arlington, VA band is recording now. There's nothing that I like better than a funky solo bassist--because I play that particular genre myself. Not as well, unfortunately, as Scott Harlan, who gives me competition in my own back yard. The DC-area bassist has produced an album of tracks where the only stringed instrument is the bass, sometimes playing many overdubbed parts as on "Good Stuff" or "Right Direction" and other times showing off Harlan's solo virtuosity as on "Samantha's Freedom" and "Freek." The only other "instruments" are screwdrivers, pencils, cardboard boxes, hands and the like subbing in as percussion.