These guys are coming at ya from Arizona, playing an ‘in your face’ style of heavy guitar oriented rock. Subtlety is not the sort of word to describe CLF, and if the rabid snarling dog intro is anything to go by, then you’ll understand where these guys are coming from. More than likely the back alley of retro rock from the seventies and eighties. If I recall, CLF made an appearance at Ultrasound 2001 and
won quite a few friends that day. Trainspotters may also know that Fred Flory was the voice behind those Joe Chandler tracks on mp3.com, though with CLF the style is quite different. Main singer though is guitarist Jimi Powers, who has an alarming similarity to Parramore McCarty (ex Warrior and Steve Stevens Atomic Playboys singer). Well now they’ve followed that up with their hot new debut album, which sees them crossing chains with the likes of Great White with a sprinkling of modern 21st century salt and pepper tossed in for good measure.
The Songs
Check out the growling mutt on ‘Don’t Kick The Dog’. Man, that’s some mean dog! ‘Chances’ is a superb eighties belter, containing some scorching guitars and nifty melodies. ‘Droppin’ Like Flies’ is an instrumental that vaguely passes a glance at Joe Satriani out of the corner of your eye. ‘Realize’ and ‘Voice Of Reason’ are deeper ventures into the past, and are as retro as one can get without breaking out the flared trousers and psychedelic shirts. This pair sound like North Carolina’s Sun City Kings. Very cool and groovy. The guitar strut continues on ‘Think Again’ while they ham it up slightly on ‘Even Now’.
In Summary
CLF are a band playing good constructive hard rock with a harder guitar edge. Some talented players onboard, who should do well promoting this admirable effort.
01 Don’t Kick The Dog
02 Chances
03 Droppin’ Like Flies
04 Realize
05 Fear
06 Prayer
07 Crazy Window
08 Do Ya Think?
09 Think Again
10 Voice Of Reason
11 Even Now
12 Bear No Cross
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