Posted on: February 12, 2009 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 0

The fact that Phil Caivano (Monster Magnet) had a hand in the recording of this album is shown by each of the riffs that are found here; the seventies-influenced, dirty and gritty rock found on tracks like “Act Like You Know” and “Feeling Good Is Good Enough” share more than a passing glance with the aforementioned Monster Magnet. Also of note is Jason’s Danzig / Davey Havok style of vocals, which seem to have a natural fit with the style of music captured on the disc. Every cut on the disc has the potential to find its way onto mass media, but “John Wayne” has a melody to it that is not paralleled anywhere else on the disc. Jason’s vocals link up perfectly with the guitar/drum dynamic to create something amazing.

The incorporation of California pop-punk into the band’s influences during “John Wayne” is another smart move, as the other tracks immediately preceding it only show hints of this. ASG move beyond the rock/punk acts of the last decade; mixing together bands as diverse as Oasis, The Offspring and Corrosion of Conformity, ASG far outstrip the more-monolithic outlooks of bands like Three Days Grace. Something that seems to hamstring the band are their increasing use of lengthy instrumental lead-ins to later tracks; by slowing down the tempo ever so slightly, they give listeners more of a reason to switch off the disc. This is very present during both “Thirsting For More” and “Yes, We Are Aware”. The plodding style of “Thirsting For More” may allow the band’s arrangement to shine (and their Fear Factory influence to become more pronounced), but really allows the disc to slow down to a snail’s pace.

The disc does spin to a close a mite too early, as it feels as if the ultra-repetitive track “Going Through Hell”, even with all of its guitar wankery was mailed in. There are a few solid tracks on “Feeling Good Is Good Enough”, but the vast majority of the tracks present show a band that can create interesting-sounding music, but really not seal the day and pass on to the next plateau of popularity. The tracks may be groomed for popular radio, but there is nothing that will drive listeners en masse into the record stores to pick up “Feeling Good Is Good Enough”. There are some seeds sown during this disc that may grow to make ASG a must-listen-to band, but based on what is present here, just pass.

Top Tracks: John Wayne, Dusty Roads

Rating: 4.2/10

ASG – Feeling Good Is Good Enough / 2005 Volcom / 11 Tracks / http://www.asgnation.com / http://www.volcoment.com / Reviewed 11 August 2005

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