BITTER SHOVEL
LAVA
The group Staind has sold millions of albums in the last few years. Singer Aaron Lewis' inner demons drove him to write emotional yet testosterone-tinged hard rock that gained massive amounts of airplay. As it is said, imitation is the finest form of flattery, so wherever he is, Lewis should be blushing. Louisville, Kentucky's Outspoken is one of the many bands that have followed in Staind's wake, and certainly one of the best.
Bitter Shovel is extremely radio-friendly, with just two songs over four minutes and very few obscenities. The first single, "Farther" is catchy with good guitar hooks and easy-to-remember lyrics. Also coming soon to a radio near you will be "Way I Am", a soft ballad-type song that should warm young girl's hearts. Orchestral strings give depth to touching lyrics like "Take me the way I am ... the way I am is enough for you."
Kevin McCreery and Shaun Kennedy capably strum the down-tuned guitars, yet rarely get to show off their talents as the songs have simple structures. The highlight of their work is on "Guidance" where McCreery is allowed a little wail while Kennedy holds things down. Frank Green's bass line is kept in the background for most of the album, rising only on "Feel This". The other half of the low end is drummer Donnie Highland who is solid, if unspectacular throughout Bitter Shovel.
That is perhaps the best way to describe the album as a whole as well - solid, yet unspectacular. Outspoken play a tight, well-produced, well-written (if simple) style of rock and roll that is prevalent in radio today with bands like Staind, Default and Nickelback.
----Scott
Olivenbaum