SNOG BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE PROLES ALBUM METROPOLIS RELEASE: FEBRUARY 4, 2003 REVIEW: FEBRUARY 19, 2003

Far be it from me to question or understand what it is that drives David Thrussell to make the music he does, but bless him for it. This new album takes the country western influences from past Snog releases and completes the circle. Drawing on his past works, Thrussell offers up a stunningly stylish album full of his trademark cynicism and lyrical distaste for the powers that be. Namely, big business, the American government and rampant consumerism.
Here's the lowdown for those who wonder just what an album like this sounds like: acoustic guitars, oddly timed beats, panoramic atmospheres and a voice that spews out disgust with the modern world and asks: is this the way it has to be? While I really want to like this album, I saw Snog live a while back and I doubt that anything was live. Thus, I find myself questioning how earnest Mr Thrussell is in his convictions. Genuine anger with the world, or blase showmanship to snare the "intellectual" crowd? You decide.

PETER MARKS