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Dead Meadow were in better company at BAR. Local opening band Lord Fowl has a small but dedicated following in the Elm City, and their brand of rifftastic retro-rock was a better match with Dead Meadow’s Sabbathy sonance than the bands they had played with the night before. Lord Fowl played a tight set, despite an apparent hand injury suffered by vocalist/bassist Vechel Jaynes[an injury incured while fighting the good fight at a protest rally]. Lord Fowl’s high energy blend of classic rock and punk worked to loosen up the crowd, helping to hasten the spread of the alcohol in their veins and to prepare them for the multi-sensory experience of Dead Meadow. - Delusions of Adequacy
Lord Fowl - Lord Fowl (2006)
04-02-2006
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Official Lord Fowl Web Site
Label: N/A
Rating: 9/10
Track listing:
1 - Eye of the Sun
2 - Stonedown
3 - Bird of Good Omen
With just three songs, the Connecticut-based power trio Lord Fowl (consisting of Michael Pellegrino on guitar/vocals, Vechel Jaynes on bass/vocals, and Don Freeman on drums) has bowled me over with their tight yet groovy musicianship, keen sense of memorable melody, and penchant for searing riffs that put most “stoner rock” bands to utter shame. How bands like Fu Manchu release album after boring album on labels while bands like this toil away with blisteringly strong songs and a DIY-attitude is a mystery to me.
This self-released three-song CD kicks off with “Eye of the Sun”, a rollicking number with galloping riffs and infectious vocal harmonies complemented with searing leads. The vocals are strong and in the higher register, refreshingly free of any awful hipster posturing that you normally get from newer rock bands like Wolfmother. Well-structured guitar soloing only adds to the flavor, taking elements of rock ‘n roll/stoner rock, and distilling out any repetitive, self-indulgent garbage in favor of HOOKS. This demo is loaded with hooks, making it well-written but also instantly listenable. I particularly dig the refrain of the chorus near the end of this tune where it’s just dual vocals and drums, reminds me of something from an early Foghat record. A great old school (but never derivative) vibe permeates these songs, clearly these guys were weaned on the good stuff.
Next up is “Stonedown”, a heavier and I daresay doomier number. Slower pulsing grooves (rhythm section is so locked in, the chemistry is evident) are backed by subtle harmonies between the guitar and bass, showing surprising attention to detail. A swaggering good time.
And (all good things must end) this little jewel closes with the stomping “Bird of Good Omen”, complete with righteous cowbell (I think this is the second CD I’ve reviewed this month with any prominent cowbell presence, which is a good sign if you ask me) and heavy drum/guitar interlocking grooves that bring to mind the heaviest moments of the mighty Led Zeppelin. Wah-drenched leads and passionate vocals are the icing on this riff-heavy cake.
Why only 9/10? Because I wanted more songs. Absolutely killer tunes, and the band was just as good, if not better, live. Hopefully their recent shows with somewhat more established acts like Ogre and Dixie Witch will bring the impressive talents of Lord Fowl to a wider audience, because serious potential is coming to fruition here. If you want good rock ‘n roll without any gimmicks but packed with memorable songwriting and hooks galore, look no further than Lord Fowl.
-Will Schwartz
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Last edited by DeepestPurple; 04-02-2006 at 03:15 PM. - HMAS.org Rock and Metal
Discography
Lord Fowl's first album is set to be released late August on FakeFour Inc. Records. The song "Eye of the Sun will be included on an Urban Outfitters local music compilation. The video for "Eye of the Sun" will be filmed in July.
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Bio
Back in 2006 Vechel and Donny had a conversation over drinks. They wanted to play music like the stuff they heard when they were younger. As kids they were enthralled by the arena acts of the 70's (Cheap Trick, Queen, Kiss) but also identified with the politics and ferocity of bands like The Clash and Black Flag. It was decided. They found a like-minded band mate in Mike Pellegrino, who was looking to depart from the sounds he made in Spring Heeled Jack, still a wildly popular band from the early 90's. Vechel had grown weary of the uber- violent CT hardcore scene which he had played a vital role in (having played in 100 Demons and Jasta 14, a band that at one time included Hatebreed singer Jamey Jasta). Lord Fowl was immediately thrust into the "stoner" category, but upon watching their live show, it's hard to group them with some of the apathetic "hipster" bands they have shared a stage with. Lord Fowl jumps around. They perform. They are heavy but actually sing melodic vocal lines. And perhaps most importantly they care. They have retained that sense of outrage at the unjust world around them, an attitude that is common among people who grew up in the Reagan years.
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