Exit Elvis

2002

by

Tribe of Judah

Personnel:

Gary Cherone – Vocals
Leo Mellace – Guitars
Patrick Badger – Bass
Mike Mangini – Drums
Steve Ferlazzo – Keyboards

OVERALL:
No one knew quite what to expect after Gary quit/was fired from Van Halen. But Gary did the work and put together a band and released an album that was experimental, powerful, and bold. If there is one criticism, it’s that the band fell in love with it’s own techniques and the album gets a bit repetitive. Song after song with the same industrial sound with big drums and altered voices can grow a bit tiring. There were a few things in there to let you catch your breath but a bit more diversity would make this album a masterpiece.

B

1. Left For Dead (Cherone/Ferlazzo)
A strong opener, powerful rocking and showcasing what the band was all about. Gary’s near shrieks are extremely moving and the song works wonders on an almost Nine Inch Nails level.

B

2. No One (Cherone/Mellace/Catizone)
Some of the old Extreme funkiness comes through on this track which is better than the first. If Nine Inch Nails did funk metal, this would be it. Fun, powerful, and simply kick-ass.

B+

3. East of Paradise (Cherone/Mangone/Mellace/Catizone)
Another great tune. A bit of a change of pace. Partially acoustic, it still is able to maintain the industrial feel as it rages through slowly with some great harmonies and percussion work.

A-

4. Thanks for Nothing (Cherone/Ferlazzo/Mellace)
The single from the album is probably one of the weaker songs on the disc. It’s catchy, I suppose but really has no depth and thanks to the hearing three songs already, some of the techniques become a little tired.

C

5. Celibate (Cherone/Ferlazzo/Geyer)
While still employing some similar techniques, Celibate is a much stronger track. Some great spoken and whispered vocals add to the atmosphere of the track which is one of longing. Very well done.

B

6. Ambiguous Headdress (Cherone/Mellace/Catizone)
A great departure from the norm. Still a touch of the industrial, but almost as if Nine Inch Nails did a song with Peter Gabriel and/or Sting. It’s a great wash of keyboards and strings, some wondeful lyrics sung in a meaningful manner. Brilliant track.

A

7. In My Dreams (Cherone/Ferlazzo/Geyer)
Not a bad track per se, but not up to par with the rest of the album. It is definitely repetitive at this nature and the vocals even sound a bit tired. It’s hard to judge these songs on their own. Perhaps I would think better of the track if I heard it without listening to the rest of the album first.

C-

8. 2 + 2 (Cherone)
Not really a song. A poem read by a child as a brief interlude. So I won’t grade it. It’s a cool poem though I will give you that.

9. Suspension of Disbelief (Cherone/Ferlazzo)
Another track that might be better to listen to on it’s own. Uptempo rocker with industrial leanings, it’s just a bit tired.

C

10. My Utopia (Anthropolemic) (Cherone/Geyer)
I truly dug the groove of this track. The vocals, the lyrics everything works well. A nice sample of Rest In Peace is thrown in there for Extreme fans and the rhythm section is very tight.

A-

11. Exit Elvis (Cherone/Mellace/Catizone)
Now this is what the album needed more of. A tune that could easily have fit on III Sides To Every Story, this track is truly brilliant. A jazzy beginning, a flamenco guitar solo, a few power chords and some wonderful vocals and lyrics. This is by far the greatest of the Tribe tracks.

A+