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"Hills and Valleys - 40 lb. Head"
Jim Luft - Are you listening?
The Weekender — December 21, 2000
Beating out the sophmore slump that most artists are sometimes plagued with, 40lb. Head's new release "Hills and Valleys" shows a tremendous amount of improvement.
40lb. Head's first release, "Savior Self," featured a band immersed in producing their own CD. This time around, the band avoided the time crunch and pressure of recording in an outside studio by recording in guitarist Steve Egenski's home studio, aptly dubbed "Steve's Basement Studio." The results are pleasing to the ears.
Lead singer and keyboardist Jason Egenski's vocals have come a long way, and this is reflected on the first track entitled "Primitive," which is already a favorite on local college radio.
The only thing better than hearing the song on disc is hearing 40lb. Head perform it live. Musically 40lb. Head is as solid as ever and "Primitive" reflects this by being tight and packed with energy.
"Round the Bar" follows next with it's straightforward message of how bar-hopping is a temporary cure for life's hardships and imconveniences. A great chorus brings out the liveliness of the song and the music finds a great balance between rock and new wave retro.
"No Friends" and "Thank You" are laced with deeply personal lyrics and memorable melodies that find their way into your head when you least expect it and stay there until you listen to the songs over and over.
Tracks like "Blindfold" and "Content" offer a more complex and satisfying listen.
The last track on "Hills" which is a hidden one, is a mind-bending mix of electronica, industrial guitars and fuzzed out vocals. The track sounds highly reminiscent of any number of bands that are riding the techno wave. The hidden track could be a hidden blessing for 40lb. Head though, because they sound great in techno.