By: Jesse Striewski
Often times when a musician attempts to go solo and step out from the main act they’ve always been known for, the results can be a bit of a let down. Such is not the case with Skid Row bassist (and one time Rewind It Magazine interviewee) Rachel Bolan, who has long since possessed the chops to go out on his own. (One needs to look no further than Skid Row’s 1992 cover of the Ramones track “Psycho Therapy” with Bolan on lead for an early example of this.)
I knew the moment I heard the first single “At War with Myself” (featuring Danko Jones) from his debut solo album Gargoyle of the Garden State, that I was hooked, the song reverberating in my head for days after.
From then on its one hard-hitter after another with Bolan enlisting the likes of fellow musicians such as Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt (“Jet Black Universe”), Slipknot’s Corey Taylor (“Big Stick”), and S.R. bandmates Snake Sabo (“See You on the Other Side”) and Scotti Hill. (“Rock and Roll Star.”)
Does it have its weak spot or two? Sure. But those looking for some fast, ’70s style proto-punk should be pleased here. (Not to mention this will likely serve as the closest we’ll get to a new Skid Row album anytime soon.)
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
