Let me just start by saying I didn't like it.  Now that I've trudged thru that, I'll tell you why.

The Tragedy Kings are -individually- good artists.  Each player is obviously talented at what they do.  However, I did notice several spots on this CD where somebody either hesitated a note or dragged it (read 'lack of confidence').  Some guitar riffs just weren't clean and don't get me started about the drum fills and oddly placed phantom notes.  I also didn't care for the overall production of the CD.  Yeah, I know it's a local band working on a small budget, yadayada.  One of the best things on the CD was the Bass Guitar and Drummer working well together.  It drives me up the freakin' wall to hear a band with a rhythm section on entirely different planes.  The Tragedy Kings do have that going for them.

The title of the CD is misleading also.  'Evolution' generally means that something has changed thru the natural course of time.  Each song sounded like an 80's rock or metal love song that I just couldn't put my finger on.  If you like that type of music, put your jean jacket and aviators on and get to it.  Don't get me wrong, I like Whitesnake and Def Leppard just as much as the next Nashvillian.  But these guys are more like Joe Cocker meets John Waite meets Collective Soul.  And there's another point.  My family knows there are three things that will get me to change the channel: 1. The chubby chick on the Metro Furniture commercials 2. The two old ladies on the Donelson Air Conditioning commercials and 3. Collective Soul.

I would love to see these guys live.  With a bucket o' suds and tequila shots, I bet they'd rock the house!  Problem is, I stopped drinking, so that idea is out.  Well, I stopped drinking heavily.

All of these guys have impressive resumes.  All except Chad Grant (Bass) were in SUBSONIC previously.  The rest of the band is Alex Daviee (Vocals), Sean Nicholson (Lead Guitar), Steve Smith (Rhythm Guitar), Marcum Stewart (Keyboards), and Jim Orman (Drums).  Their bio says that Jim plays Ludwig's, so you know that's at least one point from me.  Sean must really love guitars.  He works for the Gibson Custom shop when he's not playing in TK. (Sean, tell Mick McGuire I said "Hi"!)  I did a little searching for some Subsonic MP3s but I came up short.  I would have liked something to compare the current lineup to.

Look at the places these guys have played and you know SOMEBODY likes them.  Just because I don't...well..doesn't really mean anything.  Def Leppard is one of my favorite bands so that proves my point.  These guys have been around for a while.  I'd be willing to bet the live show rocks.  I've seen plenty of bands live that were amazing, then listening to their CD I was disappointed.  I was really looking forward to reviewing these guys too.  Oh well, on to the next one...

Oh yeah, I give this CD 2 out of 5 Tragic knives through the heart.  

http://www.TragedyKings.com
http://www.myspace.com/tragedykings

The views of Ernie Ayres do not necessarily represent those of www.NashvilleRock.net