I was recently handed Lot44′s new album “do what I want” at the canned food camp out. Matt miller who runs 98.3 the KEG put the call out to local bands to bring donations. A couple of the guys from Lot44 showed up soon after cans in hand. They stayed and hung out for a little while and I got the chance to get to talk for a bit. I didn’t know it but they also left some promotional items including a copy of their CD. Miller handed me the album and told me to give it a listen. So I did and ended up listening all the way through about 6 times.
Who is Lot44?
From their website:
Lot44 is an American rock band from Fayetteville, AR that fully formed in June 2012. Combining heavy guitar riffs with thick focused grooves allows Lot44 to bring new meaning to modern rock ‘n’ roll. The members of Lot44 came together from various other projects with the stated goal of bringing rock music back to the forefront of American culture. The group has already made their name known in Northwest Arkansas by winning several awards including taking the top spot in the 2012 University of Arkansas Battle of the Bands.
So there was a problem
On my first play through I came across a glaring problem. I could barely hear what the lead singer was singing. For most of the heavier tracks I had trouble figuring out what the song was about because I couldn’t understand what was being said.
Although I’m not going to factor the sound issues into the score it did affect my listening so where I had trouble will be noted. I did talk to the guys and it seems my issue is an isolated one so don’t worry about buying the album, you should be fine.
Notable Tracks
Rain
Just being honest it was my least favorite track at first. But over the course of the review it really snuck up on me and quickly became one of my favorites. I think a lot of people will have the same feeling about this one.
Memorable Lyric: “Your Lying words I can’t ignore..from your mouth like the rain they pour”
Do what I want
Sounds like someones parents weren’t happy they went off and joined a rockband. It’s an aggressive yet fun sound about finding your own path.
Memorable Lyric: “I’d like to to see a doctor or lawyer play some rock and roll”
Beggars
Man that opening. Just go listen to it. Beggars has some of the best guitar work on the whole album. I liked this track more than the title track.
Memorable Lyric: “don’t come crying to me when you’re the one to blame”
Hear these words
A great acoustical song that everyone needs to listen to at least once.
Memorable Lyric: “I still bear the shame of words I never got to say”
Memoriam
Is the albums finale show stopper and it”s enthralling to listen to.
Oh and that ending really struck me.
Memorable Lyric: “when will I ever be all that you want from me”
A local band without the local sound
From the left: Jordan Carmon, Preston Keith, Jacob Campbell, and Kyle Allred
Ill be honest here and say I don’t like very many local bands. They tend to sound like bands made in a garage and never really grow out of that phase. Lot44 doesn’t suffer from that problem.
The polish and care that goes into each song shows, especially in ballads like memoriam.
Sound issues aside
Over all I really liked the album. It has a great sound to I that I caught myself bobbing my head too and singing along too (beggars) and just turning on and relaxing too (hear these words) and stopped me in my tracks (memoriam)
Judge for yourself
You don’t have to take the opinion of this random guy on the Internet. Lot44 has a stream of several of their tracks on their website. You can also see them in person in a couple weeks at the Stolen glass in Fayetteville, Arkansas. If that still isn’t enough they told me the iTunes version of the album drops December 10th. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter, and MySpace if you live in 2005 (kidding).
Final Scores
Score: 8/10
The good:
everyone on the album knows what they are doing and aren’t lacking in the talent department
The bad:
some of the songs have the tendency of sounding the same due to some similar sounding chord progressions if you aren’t paying attention.
Overall:
Would I recommend them to other people? Sure, it’s entertaining rock music that’s accesible to a lot of people