Back to the top

Powder Finger

Review of “Twine”

‎In short, TWINE is badass and needs to be heard. – The Biggest Letdown

“Susanna and the Grinders have released their debut album entitledTWINE, which brings back the idea of good 80’s and early 90’s pop indie rock. This album really speaks volumes to the talent involved with Susanna and the Grinders. In short, TWINE is badass and needs to be heard.

The title track, twine really sets the stage for how the album will be heard. It will be heard through a CD player in a car, home, boat, or modified couch that has speakers built inside. Speaking of modified couches, I’m terrible at home improvements. My lady thinks I can do anything, but deep down inside she knows that I’m not good at home improvement projects. Building something such as a modified speaker-couch would end up in myself yelling (a lot), throwing stuffed pillows across the room, shouting for no reason, and eventually giving up. Speaking of giving up, don’t give up on this review. I really liked TWINE.

When you listen to songs such as PERSISTANCE, FUTURE SONG, and PERFECT FACE you’ll get a feeling of accomplishment from Susanna and the Grinders. Speaking of accomplishment, did I ever tell you about the time I changed out two toilets in my home? It was the same toilet, just twice. Remember when I said I was shit at home improvements? Well, this is a classic example of that. I changed out a broken toilet for another toilet that didn’t work. Then, I returned THAT toilet back to the store where I bought it. Have you ever tried to return a used toilet? It’s embarrassing. People look at you like you’re an idiot. I’m not an idiot, though. I just didn’t have any luck with this project. So, I bought another toilet (a more expensive one) and I set it up. The whole project took me about two weeks. Now, I know what you’re thinking – you’re thinking that’s too long for a toilet-repair project. But, I was really busy with other things at that point. So, for two weeks I had a giant hole in the middle of my bathroom. I hate home-improvement projects.

This is a great album, and deserves a longer, more in-depth review. Someone will write a review to put this review to shame, but I just hope people will think back to this one and say HEY! GOOD JOB, BUDDY! THAT WAS A WELL-ARTICULATED REVIEW OF A CLASSIC ALBUM. The reason I say “classic” is because the person who says this statement will do so many, many years from now, while listening to TWINE on his speaker-couch. “

Review of “Postcards from Purgatory”

Blistering lead guitar burns in the forefront while a determined rhythm section bang out a bracing wind of high octane, hard driving, muscular rock. – Bill Copeland Music News review of The Self-Proclaimed Rockstars‘ latest album Postcards from Purgatory


“The Self-Proclaimed Rockstars recently released this high energy rocker CD Postcards From Purgatory. A Wakefield, Massachusetts-based power rock quintet have come up with nine hefty, uptempo, turbo charged tunes. The band members are Johnny Malone – vocals and Synth; Mick Greenwood – guitar and vocals; Ryan Savary – guitar and bass; James Hogg- bass and guitar; and Stephen DeBenedictis – drums and bare feet.

Self-Proclaimed Rockstars bring rock and roll back to its era of explosive energy and serious drive. Opening with “Suburban Kingpin,” these boys waste no time unleashing their edgy guitar rock sound. Blistering lead guitar burns in the forefront while a determined rhythm section bang out a bracing wind of high octane, hard driving, muscular rock. Lead singer Johnny Malone has a cool, drawling vocal and he belts it out with gusto.

“Haymaker” takes its time paying out a hard rock groove. The guitar skims the surface of the rhythm so lightly to give off a distorted undercurrent. This keeps the intensity boiling just below the surface and that makes it more dynamic. As vocalist, Malone shows his smoother side and he graces the lyrics with a hip, modern croon.

“My Crazy” gets its muscle from its skittish guitar rhythms and its definition from its penetrating lead. It is amazing the dissonance these guys get from briskly rubbing those guitars up against each other. The lead guitar often has the nervous tension of a high wire act. The sound keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering where they’re going as their song races forward.

“Whisky” is pure, driving power rock. Malone adeptly handles verses that wrap tightly around a bumpy groove. Playing in such a locked in rhythm, Self-Proclaim Rockstars knock this one out of the ballpark with a ride everybody will want to go along with. “No Faith” is another of these pure energy, driving rock tunes. The bass and drums bump things a bit more and that gives the tune more a distinguished lift.

Malone and the boys get down and funky on the irresistible, beat driven “Pretty Baby, Dirty Momma,” a tune crafted to make people want to follow the hip twists and turns in the lyrics and groove. It is amazing how much mileage these guys can get out of a head bobbing rhythm.

“No Purple Hearts For Self-inflicted Wounds” may be an unusual song title, but the song rocks right out. The dual guitar approach of this band is in full-throttle and on fire. There are guitar spikes inside the guitar rhythm that already has the song layered with pure dynamite.

“Fallout: Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Purgatory” may be another lengthy, eccentric title, but it’s also another kick ass song. Drummer Stephen DeBenedictis hammers out a persistent aggression here, and he moves the song forward with a variety of rolls, fills, and cymbal work. The lead guitar phrase is incisive as a laser beam and you can almost picture the guitarist disintegrating people science fiction with his high frequencies.

Malone mellows out enough on “A Cold Sleep” to show how much character he has in his vocal approach. He has something that goes way beyond just his tone and timbre. It’s in how he uses his self-restraint to march the band up several notches in intensity.

A hidden bonus track features Malone changing his expressions to a low down drawl while the players behind him put their sophisticated stamp on modern rock idioms. Eerie synthesizer melody fills the backdrop with goofy fun, showing the Self-Proclaimed Rockstars can play with excellence without taking the whole thing too seriously.”

© Powderfinger Promotions 2021 | Designed by DI-WHY