Justin’s Review:

Combine ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
Stir and enjoy loud.

The above recipe is one that the members of Goes Cube followed very closely when cooking up their debut full-length “Another Day Has Passed” (out now on The End Records). It is also one that will guarantee a spot on my “Top 10 of 2009” list.

Now excuse me while I go gorge myself.

Justin’s Rating:

King says: “Ah… Metal Stew… a recipe fit for a King!”

Chris’ Review:

Any extended listening to FM rock radio these days reminds me that I’m reaching that target market age for those stations that play a lot of Pink Zep and AC Halen because they’re mixing in more 90s ‘classics’ than ever. (Did Alice in Chains get this much airplay when they were still a band? Oh wait, they’re a band again! Hmmm, pay my mortgage this month or buy concert tickets… ) Well, that shit just annoys me and most music lovers I know. The best music of my good ol’ days couldn’t be found on the radio back then and I don’t want it to be now. If I’m going to take an indulgent dip in the mosh pits of yore, I gotta hear something fresh, but a throwback to my aggro roots will really get my head twitching. That’s kind of how I hear Goes Cube.

That throwback reference might come from the fact that Goes Cube does not reference any major trend in currently popular music that I can identify. They’re from Brooklyn, New York, and I’ve assumed all recent bands from Brooklyn sound like 80’s bands (such as Justin’s favorites, Vampire Weekend). But Goes Cube does not sound like an 80’s band. They don’t scream like a _____core band, but they don’t have cheesy vocals like the moose rock bands on aforementioned FM stations. And they’re not technical, just straightforward heavy. Maybe this is a new trend.

Another Day Has Passed opens with a ripping blast, “Bluest Sky,” and while such riffage is reprised at times throughout the album, the metallic opening assault is a bit of a mislead. The single, “Grinding the Knife Blade,” showcases more of the Cube’s conventional songwriting abilities while simplicity works on other tracks (“Back to Basics,” “I Hold Grudges”). Unfortunately, some songs seem a bit too tossed off (“Goes Cube Song 30,” “Restore”) and a couple tracks are just plain stinkers (“Saab Sonnet,” “Urbana-Champaign”).

While it may take some flavoring to your taste (i.e. skipping a few tracks) the basic broth of a hearty, heavy, aggressive stew is here. Goes Cube’s bio claims the band is a noteworthy live act and I can totally see that. Put a band like Goes Cube on a bill with a bunch of metros in tight pants or teenagers doing finger gymnastics and I guarantee this band will slay. And that’s not just the good ol’ days talking.

Chris’ Rating:

King says: “Not a flawless effort, but I could pump my scepter to this.”

Have A Listen:

Goes Cube – The Only Daughter:

Download audio file (The_Only_Daughter.mp3)