Into The Exam Room Review

Release Date: Oct 22, 2007
Label: Suburban
Genres: Rock
Number Of Tracks: 12
In The Exam Room is already their third full-length, making it appear that this is no more just a side project, even though they still play in other bands.

Sound:	6
Lyrics:	8
Impression:	7
Overall rating:	8.5
Reviewer rating:	7
Users rating:	10
Votes:	3

overall: 7

Reviewed by: Lin, on december 26, 2007

Sound: Three albums then? Well, maybe 2.5 if you don't count Only A Suggestion. But even still, this release probably makes Hermano the most stable and committed band John Garcia has been in since Kyuss collapsed in the mid '90s. If Garcia is the Dave Mustaine of stoner rock, then this is his United Abominations. That is to say it's a great example of the stream lined desert fuzz demonstrated by the previous release, but if Dare I Say didn't manage to steal the fans away from Queens Of The Stone Age, then this probably won't either. Certainly there's nothing as catchy as Life or as evocative as My Boy, but Kentucky rages with ironic southern swagger and the title track will surely be a great concert sing along. // 6

Lyrics and Singing: Garcia of course, remains the main attraction here. He has the voice that Homme has spent the last ten years imitating. No one else save maybe Chris Cornell or JMK can pull off such smooth lows and biting screams. Lyrics are only arbitrarily different to what he has done before, but few are likely to complain. There are a few political jabs reminiscent of Angry American, but fortunately, the subtlety has improved. // 8

Impression: If there's one important way Garcia differs from Mustaine though, it's that he's not nearly as bitter or competitive. Hermano sound like they are having more fun than Megadeth, and sound like more of a band than QOTSA, with their shifting lineup and gimmicky guest vocalists. Ultimately though, Into The Exam Room will probably mostly preach to the converted. Aside from a couple of Kyuss nostalgia trips (notably, Our Desert Home) there's nothing new here. The guitars sound the same, even if the recording is better and there are still the odd few trippy songs-to-see-mirages-to. But if you're not expecting a musical revolution and are willing to let yourself have as much fun as Garcia and co do here, this could be a great addition to your collection and a perfect gateway drug to that Kyuss back catalogue. // 7

Comments

[red157]

Can't wait to give this album a good listen, love Garcia's voice.
But guest vocalists are gimmicky? The Desert Sessions are wonderful and they have had more vocalists than I got Christmas presents this year... Hopefully that's not a sad comment on myself.

[Johnthewrench]

Fans of Kyuss might want to pick up some of Brant Bjork's solo things. After playing drums with Fu Manchu for a few albums, he's gone off to make some of the best stuff by former Kyuss members IMHO.

[Cobalt Blue]

huh, I didn't know Garcia was in a band after Kyuss may have to give them a look

a band than QOTSA, with their shifting lineup and gimmicky guest vocalists.

okay i'll give you shifting lineup.. but 'gimmicky guest vocalist's' is a little far... they've had Mark Lanegan sing on half a dozen songs or so. and Nick Oliveri sing on about that many or more songs, but you can't count him as a guest he was in the band full time.