Record Reviews

Sinis

Electromagnetized (Hypeshop)

Especially with the jagged, reverse "S's" in their logo (which they recently got rid of), the obvious reference point for Sinis would be Kiss, but in spirit, they owe just as much to AC/DC -- and Spinal Tap, for that matter -- as they do to Gene, Paul, Peter, and Ace. Most of their licks are reconfigurations from the Kiss Alive I, II, and III era of rock, but Johnny Thundernips' vocals are too whiskey-soaked to evoke more than a few Kiss numbers, and they're also self-aware almost to the point of self-parody (intentionally, that is, unlike Kiss). No amount of nudge-and-wink antics, onstage pyrotechnics, and babes in bondage can save a sucky album though, so it's fortunate that the band was serious about the making of Electromagnetized, their debut full-lengther. The music wouldn't be instant classic rock fodder if it took too many chances, so the Sinis folks throw a little slide in here, a half-heard theremin there, just enough to give it a flavor and keep things interesting while ensuring it succeeds in its main goal of "rockin' hard." That it does, but (Upper Crust-ish secret track "The Ballad of Billy Balls" aside) it wouldn't hurt these locals to loosen up a little more yet, and come up with some songs that are a touch more original than "Texas Rock" and "See You in Hell." There's still a lot of room for error before Sinis becomes a comedy act, though. I'll put it this way: Electromagnetized isn't nearly as funny as Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.