Band:	Maylene and the S…
Album:	III

Southern rock has me in it’s tight grip. It’s terrifying really. I know that I should be listening to music that’s pushing the boundaries a little bit more, but I could honestly care less. It’s good, straightforward rock and roll. So why did Maylene and the Sons of Disaster have to mess it up so bad?

The entire band except for lead singer Dallas Taylor and bass player Roman Haviland have said their goodbyes and it doesn’t take long to figure this out. The sound on “III” is a muted version of what Maylene did on “I” and “II”. Sadly, gone are most of the big riffs and “fuck y’all” attitude.

The one saving grace of this album is that it is the continuation of the Ma Barker narrative. All of Maylene’s albums have been based on the story of Ma Barker, a criminal whose whole family raised a whole lotta hell when the FBI first got started back in the 30’s. It’s a cool concept and one that hadn’t gotten stale. Until now. The tired concept gives Taylor some creative fodder to write lyrics, but the musicianship on this record feels “big label” polished and soulless. Too bad; “II” was one of the baddest albums of 2007.

Ok… so it’s not terrible, but “III” is definitely an album that could have a couple songs on TRL (if MTV still played videos) or MOD (Much on Demand for you non-Canadian readers). With lyrics like those on “Listen Close” (”It’s been a while and a million miles since I’ve seen the sun shine on your face” or some other Hinder-esque bullshit) you can tell that this album is doing some major pandering to the pop crowd.

If you’re a die-hard fan don’t miss this, it continues the story and presents you with some of their strong southern sensibility. If you came on board when “II” came out and you’re not invested in the story, don’t bother. You’re not missing anything, I promise.

Maylene and the Sons of Disaster Official Site
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster on MySpace
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster - “III” on Amazon

Release Date: June 23rd, 2009

“III” - Tracklist
(* recommended tracks)

1. Waiting on My Deathbed*
2. Settling Scores by Burning Bridges*
3. Just a Shock* (might as well stop listening here)
4. Last Train Coming
5. Step Up (I’m on It)
6. Listen Close
7. The Old Iron Hills
8. No Good Son
9. Harvest Moon Changing
10. Oh Lonely Grave
11. The End is Here… The End is Beautiful

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