Ice Black Birds - The Playground

Reviewed by Tom “Grand Funk” Waldron

Before I even listen to these guys I have to air a couple grievances regarding self consciously old school rock music. There are two kinds of these type of bands the ones who end up sounding like authentic, honest and no bullshit tributes to the bands they grew up with Giving off the air of actually being born too late and those who come across as a cheap watered down parody of Black Sabbath or Zeppelin or what have you (*Cough* Wolfmother *Cough*) And upon listening to these guys it becomes clear that they’re not a cheap Spinal Tap without the jokes style parody, They’re not amazing either but there’s enough to recommend here; the vocal harmonies are a very nice touch and all in all I’m very much reminded of a clunkier more- ‘indie’ sounding version of Witchcraft from Sweden.

Unfortunately for Ice Black Birds this kind of music should make me want to break out my bell bottoms strap on a bandana and take some Quaaludes (Whatever Quaaludes are) but these guys don’t do that. However the following bands do: Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Pentagram, Down and Cathedral. So in summary if you want some burnt out hippie rock you could do a lot worse but also a lot better than the Ice Black Birds.

Side note: Just saw a band photo and not one of these fuckers is wearing a bandana or bellbottoms they actually look like Razorlight. Rock bands should look like this http://www.southern.com/southern/band/OBSES/pics/obsessed_bandpicL.jpg See kids Mullets! Bad Facial Hair! Jackets and no shirts! Graveyards! This is why you guys don’t rock as hard as you should! By the way I'm not being ironic here at all this shit is key to rocking hard! Also why don't more bands go for the post apocalyptic road warrior look anymore? http://www.metal-archives.com/images/8/0/3/803_photo.jpg Those guys clearly meant it! whatever 'it' was.