LAST CRACK SINISTER FUNKHOUSE #17 - ROADRACER

Boston Globe - Boston, Mass. - Jan 11, 1990

RECORD REVIEW

Rare is the occasion when a heavy metal band sounds as unusual as Last Crack. Sowing their oats in Wisconsin, the clean-cut Midwesterners push the limits of pop, blending thrash and even fusion. They rely heavily on emotive vocals and lots of crafty rhythm and guitar breaks like those on "Gush Volcano Crush (G.V.C.)," "Slicing Steel" and "Terse;" probably the album's best cut. Vocalist Buddo is the cracked actor throughout, pushing melodrama heavily on "Thee Abyss" and "Saraboyscage." Most of his gush is convincing, though, turning a potential weakness into more living force. The band even borrows some psychedelic influence on "Blood Brothers of the Big Black Bear," reminiscent of early Genesis, art-rock days. This debut that blurs genres is a standout with a pure spirit hard to find in music so heavy.

                                                 - Laura Gilmore

                     Copyright Boston Globe Newspaper Jan 11, 1990