Etc, Etc, Etc, by Andorra

Artist: Andorra
Album: Etc, Etc, Etc,
Genre: Alternative Rock, Grunge
Recommended Track(s): What Goes Around, Tell Me Father, Ain't It A Shame
RIFYL: Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Nirvana, STP

Andorra is something of an anomaly in the college music scene. In college music's world of underproduced lo-fi, twinkly emo, and hardcore punk, Andorra is rocking something we all thought was long long LONG gone with the 90's. This four piece from Philadelphia is rocking heavy, fuzzy, in-your-face grunge worthy of Dave Grohl's beard.

Now let's take the album out on to the examination table:

The vocals are very clear, and sound glide over everything with fluidity and grace. Kevin McCall really has his work cut out for him on this record, considering he took the more Dave Grohl approach to singing grunge, being that you can actually understand what the hell he's saying. Not only that but he and lead guitarist Sam Carlen are totally in synch with each other, and invoke some very smashing pumpkins/soundgarden-esque riffs on some of the heavy songs like What Goes Around. What's even better is that the fuzzy tone of the heavier parts still comes out very clear for each song. The production value clearly very good.

The drums and bass on this album also have a lot going for them. Drummer Jordan Petrelis invokes a lot of Jimmy Chamberlin-esque fills, and hits just as heavily as Dave Grohl in his Nirvana Years. Michael Trycieckyj is very Nate Mendel esque, in that he helps accent harmony between the guitars and vocals with grace.

Overall, the album has a lot going for it, as well as the band, and I can't wait to hear more from them.

I give it 9 Dave Grohl "the bests" out of 10.