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Rhabdophobic, Just Passin' Through

by Ash White
05/17/2006

Webster defines "Rhabdophobia" as a fear of being severely punished, beaten by a rod or stick, or severely criticized. Somehow this definition rings true when listening to Rhabdophobic's 2005 release "Just Passin' Through." That is not to say that I found myself sweating anxiously and thinking back to Sunday afternoons with my father when I listened to it. I'm just trying to say that this three-piece will kick you in the ass and you will graciously accept.

With this release, the Bogart, GA band combines simple and sometimes poppy chord progressions with fuzzy distortion that will make you think of The White Stripes, eccentric and fun lead guitar found between riffs that is reminiscent of Sleater-Kinney, and high shrilly vocals that will pierce your ears until you realize that youíre cool with the warm feeling of trickling blood.

I made one fundamental mistake during the process of reviewing this CD: I read the liner notes before popping it in for the first time. If I had not gotten too curious on the way to my car after receiving the album I would not have learned that Doug Eldridge, the lead vocalist / guitarist, is indeed what the his name suggests - male. The truth of the matter is that Aldridge's singing voice is extremely high pitched and at times, well, feminine. Don't get me wrong. I was quite fond of his singing. However, I think I would have done much better, at least at first, to have thought that I was listening to a female.

The album is awkward and the band members know it. Despite this, you get the feeling that they're enjoying a learning experience. They are having fun with their songs, and fun is infectious.

Even considering its imperfections, I was quite pleased by this album, though I must admit that it took a few listens for me to get into it. All in all, "Just Passin' Through" proves that it is not impossible to come across some good ole rock 'n' roll that makes you want to do just what the closing track demands - just clap your hands.

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