Friday, January 9, 2009

THE REMNANTS "American Grit" Slow Summer Records

IF YOU think rock-and-roll should be nothing more than simple songs, gritty electric guitar and a bunch of older dudes playing original tunes with a message, then you will appreciate Annapolis rockers the Remnants. They are not complicated. There are no pretty-boy singer-songwriter influences here or flashy pop leanings. If anything, they may be trying to channel such classic rock legends as the Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin.

"Party Lights," the first tune on the Remnants' latest album, "American Grit," is a great rock-and-roll song in the vein of Social Distortion. It will for sure inspire people to bob their heads and party. The simple ballad "Everything's Good" follows the album's formula and includes unflashy, if a bit square, guitar solos that suit the band's sound. (It would be cool, though, to hear louder, edgier solos that don't just fit nicely into a few measures.)

All the band members are decent musicians playing to their strengths. The problem is Tom Boynton's distracting, affected vocals, which give the songs an amateurish feel. It's as if he is playing the role of a rock star, instead of just singing the tunes with his own nice tenor.

Then again, Boynton's weird vocalisms may just be due to his and the band's desire to entertain and rock out with their upbeat and memorable songs. This they do well.

-- Moira E. McLaughlin

Appearing Wednesday at Rams Head Tavern (410-268-4545,http://www.ramsheadtavern.com/annapolis/onstage). Show starts at 8 p.m.