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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

CD Review: P. Hux - Kiss The Monster


P. Hux - Kiss The Monster
2008 Lakeshore Records


Talk about marketable rock music. P. Hux has developed a sound over the course of his long career that is somewhere in between the Gin Blossoms and .38 Special. Kiss The Monster is a fabulous rock and roll record with the vaguely fleeting feel of a perfect summer day. Strong songwriting and a great sense of both melody and harmony make Kiss The Monster a highly enjoyable experience.

P. Hux has been doing this for a long time and has built quite a resume in the music business. One of the key attributes of that resume is the ability to craft hook-heavy irresistible rock songs. Yet To Say is a prime example, with it's driving rock guitar choruses, soaring harmonies, and near Beatles-esque energy. Come Clean may be the star of the album here though: a moderate rock ballad about guilt and redemption. 20 years ago Come Clean would have owned the Billboard Charts.

Central to P. Hux's vibe is the fact that he doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. This is a man who's doing something he loves, and I would guess is grateful for the opportunity to still be making (great) music at this point in his life. The joy comes through the music and is infectious. This CD will never sell a million copies just because it is unlikely to get the sort of push from a label to make it happen, but if you're a fan of great music then you want this CD. For an example of the energy and joy shining through check out P. Hux's cover of I'm Looking Through You.

Kiss The Monster is a must-have for all fans of great rock-n-roll, and it will cross generational boundaries, it's that good. Give it a chance, and support someone who's making music for all the right reasons!

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about P.Hux at www.parthenonhuxley.com, where you can buy a copy of Kiss The Monster and several of P.Hux’s other recordings.

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