Smoke Off Vinyl
Dilate (2002)

review by: Michael Walls
Date: 8/10/02

I've been pushing this CD around for several months – not sure where to place it. I never dismiss a CD the first listen through, but sometimes it takes me a while to go back and listen a second time. If a week or two and a different mindset doesn't change my initial opinion about a CD, then it usually ends up in my coaster collection.

Smoke Off Vinyl made it through the second listen. I even picked up the reading materials that the band sent me along with the disc.

"...three piece rock outfit, hailing from the 'burbs of Chicago..."

"...influences include Pearl Jam, Zeppelin, Shiner, Radiohead, Pumpkins, Dylan..."

But my favorite is a liner note thanking "the fucks who stole all our shit...hope you get hit by a bus."

I had a hard time thinking of something to say about this band, besides "they sound a lot like Creed." And I really didn't want to say that, because I hate Creed. But, I had a harder time just ignoring these guys, almost exclusively because of one song. Track 3 – "Gone".

I must have listened to this song 50 times. Which isn't really a difficult feat, because the song is only 3 minutes long. Guys - if you ever re-record this song, add another verse and about 3 minutes to the bridge – and this song would kick even more ass. It's a great tune. Just some rip-roaring guitars, steady and heavy drum beat, a way-too-short bridge, and some catchy lyrics with vocals that don't sound so much like Creed.

A couple of other songs I enjoyed were "Home" and "Rocketry", but "Gone" is sole reason for this review. I'm not a Pearl Jam fan, and I change the radio station at the first notes of Creed. But Smoke Off Vinyl has got something to offer to Creed and Pearl Jam fans – a raw, rock sound, with hints of pop-sensibility and style.