A good rock album is very hard to come by nowadays. On the one hand you have the Emo bands that are doing their best not to break any new ground, and are getting staler by the minute. On the other hand you have the 80’s revivalists who have more than out-stayed their welcome. And that’s why I was all sorts of happy when Caveman’s debut album landed in my lap.
From the opening track of ‘Dirty Faces Clean Hearts’ you know you’re in for a treat. For the price of a rock album you get great riffs, crazy samplers, amazing vocals and incredible song writing.

Caveman: Bowtie

There is a fair amount of 90’s in the album. The mind-blowing guitars can give Alice in Chains a run for their money. The electronics take a stab a NIN but without the “I got a million dollar studio and I’ll do whatever the **** I please” pomposity. But despite the riffs and loops this is not a 90’s album; it is very much modern and serves up a very different kind of energy.

Caveman: It’s Alright

The song writing is very unique. There are the heavier, riff-lead tunes which concentrate on slowly building up tension and arranging each verse in a distinctive way. The slower tunes are meticulously put together. “Say No More” is the best ballad I’ve heard in a long time. The nice thing though is the little “surprise” you get with each song. No matter where you think a song is going, you’re always served some extra musical candy you weren’t expecting.

Caveman: Say No More

Vocalist Kfir Basson takes you through a roller coaster ride of love, hate and loss. Lyrically he challenges the listener with difficult lines like “Sometimes I spit inside your pillow just like a dog that leaves his mark. But every time the darkness gets too close for comfort you are directed back to cosmic lights, pride and love.”
“Dirty Faces Clean Hearts” will not relax you on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But if you’re up for taking a more meaningful ride, it will definitely give you a weekend to remember.

Caveman are currently on tour. If you’re in the L.A. area I highly recommend you catch them at The Whiskey-A-Go Go on October 8th.

Caveman: See Through Coffin

[Caveman on MySpace]