The Notorious One Man Orgy＜Blue Vinyl＞

This debut from drummer-to-the-'90s-rock-stars Josh Freese delivers so much massive guitar pop that just a couple of listens will be enough to hook music fans looking to fill a hole in their collection of good-time pop-punk. With titles like "Rock and Roll Chicken" and "Why Won't Left Eye Get With Me," Freese's light-hearted solo sentiment is in stark contrast to the drummer's more celebrated employers, A Perfect Circle and latter-day Guns 'n' Roses. Headier tracks "Ass Backwards" and "Caffeine and Vaseline," while just as catchy as Freese's campier material, don't approach the musician's quirky lyrical standard. Hardly enough to exercise listeners' aural shock absorbers, these bumps in the road have the impact of a crushed frisbee. With the support of a major label and more refined production, Freese could easily realize his lyrical potential, and join Phil Collins and the similarly influenced Dave Grohl in the improbably exclusive club of former drum sidemen turned outright pop stars. All career considerations aside, The Notorious One Man Orgy is a splendid romp that provides all the pop to both satisfy and surprise fans familiar with Freese's impressive punk, new wave, and metal discography. ~ Vincent Jeffries