File Under: Indie Rock rating: A- tracks 1. Sack Of Smashed Assholes 2. And They Were Young And Randy 3. El Bandito 4. Living In A World Of Change And Shit 5. For The Judge 6. Brains And Eggs 7. I Would Sell You For Crack 8. The Positive Power Of Negative Thinking related links Form of Rocket Some Records

Form of Rocket is a band that lets it's high octane riffage, rumbling basslines, and pounding drumbeats do the talking on their second album, Lumber. From the get go, Lumber is an original piece of work that is chock full of fist-pumping riffs and screaming vocals. Song structures are thrown out the window, instead favoring free flowing songs that go into a thousand different directions each time. One second, they're playing a thousand mile metal riff, and the next they're playing something that sounds like it's out of an old western, and then a crazy rock riff. The instruments all get a thorough bashing by the band, and for those who like Indie rock, Lumber is a great album to check out.

The album begins with "Sack of Smashed Assholes", which really kicks the album off at a hundred miles an hour. With an unrelentless guitar riff and drums getting the life bashed out of them, the song really gets the listener's blood pumping. Things only get progressively better as the album goes on. The third track, "El Bandito", is a 7 minute piece that showcases some awesome basslines, and some of the best riffage on the album, featuring some amazing riffs throughout. Things turn in a totally different direction on "For the Judge", which sounds like something out an old western. This acoustic song mixes an Indian-style drumbeat with some great riffs. The vocals, which at first seem strangely out of place, slowly integrate themselves into the song nicely. Things only really slow down on the album closer, "The Positive Power of Negative Thinking", and that's musically speaking. The volume and power of the album is still amazing and held throughout each song.

Lumber isn't perfect, though. Not every song is amazing, and it takes a few listens to really get into. What at first sounds like some strange, sloppy riffs soon turns into fist-pumping riffs and ripping basslines mixed with a strong drumbeat. Some songs, though, are just full of strange, sloppy riffs no matter how many times you listen to them, but thankfully not many. The album really shines at certain points, whether it's a totally new riff, or something just plain out of the ordinary, and it's these few points that make Lumber a great CD. While Lumber may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's still an interesting album that is refreshing and entertaining at the same time.

V P is a Contributing Writer. Contact him at vp@rockzone.com.