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
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.