CHAD REX & THE VICTORSTANDS “Gravity Works Fire Burns”
CHAD REX, a longtime protégé of country-punks DRAG THE RIVER, released his initial VICTORSTANDS album in 2002. Four years later, an eternity by most bands’ standards, REX has finally offered up his follow-up entitled Gravity Works Fire Burns. Country influences and instrumentation blanket the album, but calling Gravity Works Fire Burns an alt-country record would be to sell it short. The genius in the album is REX’S ability to take twang completely out of traditional context. If it weren’t for the immediate flashbacks to CMT, calling the album pop-rock with country flair would be dead on. The contrast of the pianos on “That Way Girl” and “Cities By Hotels” exemplify the duality of the album. Whereas Lin Buck’s playing on the album opener “That Way Girl” falls in line with traditional country instrumentation, his playing on “Cities By Hotels” is more power-pop a la the Rentals. The fact that they switch things up stylistically song after song never allows the album to grow stale. REX’S vocals fall somewhere between the smoothness of DRAG THE RIVER’s Chad Price and the harshness of Bob Dylan. REX never makes an attempt to ape Dylan, but REX like Dylan felt compelled to sing but lacked the range to do so. Although reviews often talk of REX’S songwriting and stylistic resemblance to the Replacement, the most interesting songs on the album are the ones that veer of that course. “Crashed & Landing” is a beautiful standout number featuring REX on acoustic guitars, Nate Hofer on the pedal steel and T.J. Erhardt on the piano. REX’S lyrics are extremely intimate and in this mode they truly achieve their intended impact. One thing is for sure, REX should be commended for enlisting such a talented, versatile ensemble of musicians. It is their skill and ability that make the album. Unfortunately it is REX’S flat vocals that undo the album. Much like The Rise making me want to listen to Refused, the flatness and similarity to Chad Price’s vocals make me want to listen to Drag The River, not CHAD REX & THE VICTORSTANDS.
Mars Motors
