Rattaya Nimibutr
Staff Writer
Review
Meet John Doe. An average name that denotes anyone who is unidentified or just plain imaginary.
This is the John Doe from the neo-punk band X, but he has since detoured and released a five-song album, For the Rest of Us.
The loosely rock sounds are common in his category of music, yet Doe manages to break through with a record that is somewhat satisfying and not as frustrating.
One might argue that it may be too early for Doe to go solo, or that For the Rest of Us shouldn't stop at only five songs. The disc, though, stands like this just fine.
"A Step Outside" is encountered first and is surprisingly not bad. The occasional drum tease and strikes of rhythmic tunes are heard in the background.
Next is "Let's Get Lost," where his sleek walk through the track paints a blurred picture as it blends into the guitar playing and morose setting.
A more upbeat, different take can be heard on the ironic "The Unhappy Song." The John Doe Thing seems to ram all his energy into this track and right at the end drops everything he has and leaves us to enjoy the tension he has created. Not a disappointing unit.
Every other song seems to have its own matter, which is very skillful in its own way. The listener can have a feeling of variety. First there are slow and heavy tracks, and love is always the subject. Then the avalanche of metallic sounds comes, laced with barely understandable words. John Doe's drift from X came at just the right time.
"Bad, Bad Feeling" holds a place as the album ends with "This Loving Thing." The John Doe Thing proves to be yet another musician who should be given a chance if ever encountered.