By: Peter Morsellino
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 28/02/2020
Label: BMG
“No Good to Anyone” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1. No Good To Anyone
2. Attacked By An Angel
3. Son Of Man
4. Burn In Hell
5. You're All Gonna Die
6. Orland
7. Cocobolo
8. Agate
9. Callie
10. OJ Kush
11. Mercy
12. Born In Blood
13. Mexico
14. Rockets And Dreams
The Review:
Today is the Day make their triumphant return
with a glimpse into the mind of Madness. A diverse offering providing an
intimate glimpse into the mental state of Steve
Austin. It's beautiful, it’s ugly, and it’s goddamn fantastic. “No
Good to Anyone” is a trip through the weird, with no shortage of brutal
stops along the way.
The mix of sounds conjured on this album is
astonishing. From the demonic cacophony of the title track to “Callie”'s mournful folk stylings, Today is the
Day craft an eclectic brew of insightful tunes to keep the listener
thinking long after the album's completion.
“Burn in Hell” offers up sulking
southern sludge in stark contrast to the pounding assault of “You're All Gonna Die”. The seventies
doom riffing of “OJ Kush” stands
against the haunting ethereal vocals of “Attacked
by an Angel”. Almost every point on this album is balanced by a
counterpoint. A contrast that keeps things fresh for repeated listens.
Production on “No Good to Anyone” is as
good as can be expected from a Steve
Austin effort. Instruments and vocals shift throughout the mix, crafting an
ambience that will stick in your head as you try to wrap your mind around it.
Bass cuts through the mix effortlessly while Austin 's vocals shift between a slurred drawl
and a furious demon scream without shaking the listener from the musical
experience. The drum mix stands out with an expertly produced low end, creating
an interesting tribal effect.
“Cocobolo”
is a great example of all these techniques in perfect harmony. Swampy blues
riffs morph into jamming stoner chords. Steve's
voice shifts back and forth like only he can. Bass holds down the ensemble
expertly, while the rhythm section offers up one of the best kick drum sounds
I've ever heard.
“No
Good to Anyone” offers up a diverse mix of jams that are
sure to delight the most discerning of listeners. While Steve
Austin's past body of work certainly speaks for itself, this is a more than
welcome addition. Give it a listen, get weird with it. Get mad, get sad, be
grateful he's back.
“No
Good to Anyone” is available HERE