Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Southern Gentleman - Third Time Is The Charm - 2006 - Leviathan Records

Track Listing:Even Now It’s Not True I Don’t Want You I’m Down Caught You Red Handed Broken Man Heaven Help Me now Going Down to Texas Don’t Go Love Train Reflection Ladies of the Night

Making you want to rethink the ever popular phrase, “third time is the charm” is the new cd by the same name from the Atlanta, Ga based band Southern Gentleman. Maybe the fourth or fifth attempt will net a more palatable release once the band engages a good gps tracker and nails down a sound and a direction. The tracks on “Third Time Is The Charm” are an amalgam of what they define as “heavy blues rock metal” but unfortunately the result sounds more like ZZ Top with a different vocalist and the amps turned to 11.

Attributing their "heavier sound" to an enhanced lineup (this release features two new band members in vocalist Eric Johns and bassist Dave Swart, both former members of the Cincinnati, Ohio based band Simple Aggression) and mixing at the Music Factory in Germany; founding member David T. Chastain also notes, "The music definitely has hard rock, blues and metal influences exploding throughout the tracks. It makes a lethal combination. It is definitely a modernization of some classic music". While that may have been the goal, the end result is a muddy mix with the same predictable riffs, fills and lyrics of the broken hearted that euthanizes the listener- in that regard it IS a "lethal combination".

Still, there’s hope-Johns can deliver vocally and if given the right platform his range and style show promise. Technically, David T. Chastain - guitar, Eric Johns - vocals, Dave Swart - bass, and Mike Haid on drums are adequate but with less sophomoric lyrics, and a little more risk, Southern Gentleman may be able to pull out a better release. In the meantime, if you’ve misplaced your “Eliminator” cd, “Third Time Is The Charm” will tide you over.



Rating: 2.5



--Strutter 07.11.07