C’mon – In the Heat of the Moment

admin on Aug 26th 2005

“The guitar is placed unusually high in the mix on C’mon’s second LP, “In the Heat of the Moment,” and understandably so: their strongpoint unmistakably lies behind the power of their throttling, high energy riffs. As someone who’s slaved away behind the production desk for countless local bands over the years, Ian Blurton knows exactly what he wants from his (relatively) new band – to kick ass. More specifically, to kick the ass of a number of recent bands who Blurton feels have been faking something that, when he grew up, was most definitely sacred (though he doesn’t name names, The Darkness most certainly come to mind). Fittingly, the trio have gone for a loaded, somewhat retro sound culled from three different elements: the dynamic and (time-length) of punk songs, the simplicity of classic 70s rock, and the sensibility of crunching metal licks.

” It should be no surprise, then, that there a plethora of influences to be found imprinted all over “In the Heat of the Moment,” ranging from the likes of AC/DC and Cheap Trick to Queens of the Stone Age and Turbonegro. Then again, you might ascertain the same conclusions just from glancing at the band: while it’s hard to miss Blurton’s prominent ZZ Top-like beard, the group as a whole look like they’ve been transported from some crumpled-up 70s rock magazine cover. What is slightly surprising, however, is how the ex-Change of Heart frontman manages to sound like a singer half his age, imbuing the release with all of the immediacy of a breakthrough debut album.

” Flying through twelve tracks in less than half an hour, “In the Heat of the Moment” is a collection of no nonsense, straight ahead rock cuts seemingly revived for starved, die-hard head-bangers in mind. Though there are virtually no blistering solos in sight (just melodic bursts), it’s Blurton’s knack for surging riffs that remain delectably neat and tidy that wins the day here. From the pulsating weight of opener “This is Yr Captain” to the magnetic guitar bends of highlight “Cut Me Down,” the album is impressively cohesive, if not short and sweet. Despite being lyrically weak in places (“I Got a Fever,” “Burn All Night”) and touches of familiarity (The Ramones on “Gonna Get Some,” and CCR’s “Green River” on “Desperate Hearts”), “In the Heat of the Moment” will make an opportune arrival to those whose air-guitars have long been lying dormant. If you ever took the likes of The Darkness seriously in the first place (which would be slightly worrying), alongside C’mon, it underlines the impression that the former are merely a pastiche of Spinal Tap.