The H.M.D. Music Resource Guide
Album Reviews in brief:

FINALLY- Released in 1999. If you are one of those who are really starting to miss GOOD guitar rock, then ANIMAL GRACE is the band for you. Hailing from Springfield, Oh and heavily influenced by THIN LIZZY and the like that seem to be a dying breed these days. Not for this band. Their debut is as much nostalgic as it is refreshing! With songs like "Red Rover"; "B-Movie"; "Headed West" and the kick-ass track "Words", ANIMAL GRACE can deliver the goods for sure. Contains bonus track. Was nominated for The H.M.D. Music Resource Guide's Album Of The Year in 2000. It's no wonder that your mouth is watering for their follow up disc, ACT OF GOD.

(self titled) - The debut album from Dayton, Oh’s DR. X is quite an impressive release. Issued in 1998 during the “nu-metal” era. The movement lasted from the late 90’s till around 2001. Nonetheless, the album is very pleasing to the ear. Could easily have found it’s way on modern rock radio without much of a problem at all. The album features some really good material. Opening w/ the applause of “Mr. Nowhere”, you know you’re in for a treat. Also includes “Fully Loaded”; their staple song, “DMHC Man”; “V-8 Skate”; “The Man”; “I Sit And Look Out”, where the lyrics were adapted from Walt Whitman; the haunting “Ode To The Elixir”; and the killer closing cut, “The Last Thing”. Came in second place for The H.M.D. MRG Album Of The Year in 1999. Lost to DRAIN s.t.h.’s “Freaks Of Nature” album.

(self-titled) - The follow-up to their 1997 release, PUSH. Good hard core grooves like "Frustrated", "Denial"; "Wake"; the countdown of "one, two, fuck you!" of "Full Circle" that gets you ready for a fight alright!; "Down"; the catchy "She Said"; and the killer opening cut, "Blood". Excellent sophomore effort. More dirty feel to it and a 'no holds barred' attitude saturates this disc! Also includes bonus track. Released in 1999. The album is the tip of the iceburg compared to them LIVE. The sheer volume alone will bludgeon you with the intensity on stage.

(self-titled) - From Dayton, Oh and damn proud of it. So much in fact that they have proclaimed themselves "Earth's Mightest Mutha-Fuckin' Band!" A bit of an under statement I'd say. The energy on stage is incredible. As far as the album is concerned, I'm particularly fond of the track "Free" myself. Machel Hicks might de-throne Courtney Love with out much trouble with one flick of her finger. The middle one no doubt. She takes no prisoners and takes no shit either. Machel herself may be a showstopper but she'll tell you straight up..."I let the music do the talking." And it will indeed. Released in 1998.

STAGES - From Milford, Ct. The bottom line is simple...Mark Daniel-guitar/ vocals; Todd Grosberg /bass; and Bob Chmiel on drums make up The Limit, and they FUCKING ROCK!!!!!!! The only limitation is due to the short length of the disc. Only 7 tracks but each one leaves you begging for more. Even better LIVE! They remind you of the good 'ol days when you didn't just play your instrument but you PLAYED your instrument! Featuring "Holding On"; "Down To The River"; and the awesome jam, "Mountain". Released in 2000.

SECRET - I’ve got a secret to tell you, if you haven’t already heard. REAL MOTHER have finally released their debut 6 song album, SECRET. 2 wrongs do make a right. And that is lucky for them indeed! Real Mother was formed from the rememnants of two Dayton, Oh bands from the mid to late 90’s. Guitarist/Vocalist Jeremy Knedler and Drummer Dave Corn are from the band LUCKY LEVIN and Lead Guitarist Mark Hamilton and Bassist Dave Kimmel are alums from WORLD GONE WRONG. Both were good bands in their own right. Now they are perfectly suited together. But after a long journey to get it completed to their specifications, the Secret is finally out!

SECRET is an impressive 6 song mini album from these hard rockin’ Daytonians. The disc’s layout is quite simple. Staying with a cardboard one-panel format, most of the information that you really need to know is laid out nicely. Unfortunately there aren’t any lyrics, but Jeremy’s vocals are clear enough to understand what he’s saying. The artwork is good as well. Not much detail as their other bands’ releases but does the job nonetheless. The band’s logo is pretty cool too. Some bands from the 70‘s and 80’s had the most memorable band logos of all time. I think Real Mother’s logo has a chance to be as well. Can’t really judge an album by its cover, on to the meat and potatoes…

The opening cut is by far their trademark. “Mr. Obvious” sets the tone immediately! Their sound is quite catchy. Most of the tracks follow the same groove as well. Jeremy is clear and understandable. Better chance for airplay, that’s for sure. This song’s got a potential to be a radio hit. Jeremy’s voice has a little grit to it. Very good for the kind of rock they do. A good portion of the song has his voice doubled with a breathy background vocal. Their rhythm section of the “Dave”s are tight as hell. You’ll be playing this song over a few times before putting the disc away.

The next song, “Why” has a great groove. The only thing that I see is the chorus gets a little old as you listen to it more. That’s the only thing that sucks about one titled songs! “Movie Of The Week” is the 3rd track on the disc. Starts off w/ a trippy little sequencer. Good little ditty like the opening cut. Gets your ear and doesn’t let go. I see this as having single potential. Dave K’s bass lines are addicting as hell. More the timbre of it than the actual chords. He’s definitely found his sound!

One of the things that I thought was interesting is how Mark is credited as Lead Guitarist, but the only remote chance of a solo that I heard was on “Over Me”, their ballad. Quite a good one in fact. Local rock radio would be foolish not to play it in their regular rotation. But then again, we are talking about Clear Channel. The great Satan of modern radio these days. Sucks too, the Dayton area is being robbed of its own treasures of local music. “Always Something” is a decent modern rock track. The last cut on the album, “Today” is a ballsy rocker and an excellent closer. Good little rock groove that finishes this disc off on a positive note.

Sonny Thomas 1.4.02

HYDROPONIC - Hydroponic is the band's 2nd album. Self released due to the fact they didn't enjoy the way the record company did their self-titled debut. A rock solid album with cuts like "Play With Me", "Understand"; "F.F."; and the cool cut, "Pandora". Includes enhanced multi-media features and video of "Understand" and more. Lead Singer Katrina Chester's vocals appear on the new GODSMACK album Awake. Was released in 1999. LUXX was featured in Metal Edge Magazine for January 2002! LUXX was named a "Band to Look Out For in 2002" and the article says "Luxx...WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!! CHICK SINGER & SOUNDS AWESOME DOING IT"