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REVIEWS:
When talking about Baltimore's
Scott Farkus Affair, it makes more sense to talk in terms
of a force of nature rather than just an ordinary band.
Think of the guitars and bass as driving sheets of rain,
Jay Novak's nimble drumming as the thunder, and Mike Sheppard's
vocals as the lightning. That leads to an obvious pun,
but if any band has earned the accolade "electrifying,"
it's the Farkus. This sophomore effort serves up a tad
more melody than the band's stark, more hardcore/metal
debut, but the essential elements remain: Ignoring traditional
notions of verse, chorus, and even melody, the Scott Farkus
Affair creates roiling waves of sound punctuated by Sheppard's
barking exclamations. It doesn't really matter what he's
singing about - Sheppard's diction and unique phrasing
render the lyrics all but unintelligible anyway. (Although
it's worth pointing out that the leadoff track, "Save
The Patriots," may just be SFA's most literal lyric to
date, an Everyman rant against the forces of corporate
and societal conformity.) But whatever the words, when
Sheppard shouts, you know he means it, and you'll find
yourself pumping your fist in the air and screaming your
lungs out along to every teeming, tumultuous track on
this magnificent release. Unleashing fury and passion
without a hint of testosterone or ego, succeeds at every
level. Boys, if you're looking for a role model, look
no further. Here are the real men of rock and roll. Every
punk-rock kid should aspire to grow up and be half as
awesome as the Scott Farkus Affair.
- Jim Testa, Jersey Beat, New Jersey
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