Blacktop Mourning - No Regret

Genre pop Publisher Tyrannosaurus Records External Links Blacktop Mourning Tyrannosaurus Records

Lately in Poker there have been many whiz kids who despite an impressive college education or pending offers from Harvard have decided that they would rather make the “easy” money that Poker currently offers. I mean why become a Doctor and possibly cure a disease when you can spend your life surrounded by degenerates in smoke filled Casinos all for the sake of a quick buck.

Well while reading about Blacktop Mourning I had a similar query. According to all I’ve read guitarist / founder Max Steger is a Blues prodigy who’s been playing Blues bars since the very young age of 12. So why would a Blues genius give up that to make a very middle of the road and ordinary record that any normal burnout could of made? Now I am no Blues connoisseur but know that with it, like Jazz, there is almost a code of honor in putting the “Art” before commerce. Apparently Max decided sitting at the alternative Poker Table would be more profitable if not rewarding. All this might be unfair; however it’s the fault of the band, publists and record company for divulging this information. The fact is though regardless of any past histories the record just isn’t very strong. There’s nothing here we haven’t heard before and worse nothing we haven’t witnessed executed far better. There are a few decent tracks “Halfway to Midnight” drives earnestly with fuzzy riffs that tuck nicely between Joe Levands’ call and response melodies and “Hardly Recognize” is a hell of a ballad that one would expect from a pop singer but seems out of place by a band that wants to be taken seriously. In fact for the entire hubbub the real reason to listen to them is their unheralded singer.

While Myspace has shone a light on unknown local bands like no other endeavor the fact is the majority still prefer to be fed things they are familiar with instead of seeking something new and exciting. It all makes me wonder what Nirvanas play count would have been had they come along in this era. The “kids” used to want something different but now it seems like more then ever they all just want to be the same while thinking they are different. So if you didn’t get enough of Blink 182 and their ilk or want your emo to have even less bite by all means grab a copy of No Regret.