Dr. Grind – Speechless (2009, Eonian Records)

1. “Call Of The Wild” … 4:24
2. “Calamity” … 3:17
3. “Livin’ A Lie” … 4:53
4. “Shotgun” … 4:08
5. “Speechless” … 7:15
6. “Janie” … 5:08
7. “Follow Your Own Road” … 5:02
8. “Faces” … 4:12
9. “Tears” … 4:51
10. “Love Will Find A Way” … 4:58
11. “Gone” … 4:49
12. “Here And Gone” … 4:16
13. “Something To Come” … 3:44
14. “Time Will Tell” … 4:49
15. “Can’t Get Enough” … 3:58
16. “Huge Wad” … 4:43
17. “Whiskey Lover” … 5:21

Band:
Rick Allen – Vocals
John Tippins – Guitar
Tom Moore – Guitar
Danny Dally – Bass
Dave McCabe – Drums

Producer: Dr. Grind, Maverick Gibson

Dr. Grind had the misfortune of being from Seattle in the early ’90s. Right smack-dab in the middle of the burgeoning grunge scene. Quite a shame because there’s some really good rock to be heard here. Unlike the recent Eonian releases I’ve reviewed, there’s a harder edge to Dr. Grind all throughout this retrospective.

According to the CD insert, they were well aware of the bubbling alternative bands and while they didn’t cross over to that side, they made sure they were heavier and more progressive than other hair metal acts of the day. They are definitely much more metal than other glam/hair acts were, and in fact, I would really just classify them as a rock/metal band and leave it at that.

With their metallic edge, nice guitar work and soaring vocals of Rick Allen (who sometimes reminds me of Geoff Tate), if Dr. Grind had been around just a few years earlier, I think they would’ve had some wider spread success in the metal community.

Highlights: “Call of the Wild”, “Calamity”, “Livin’ a Lie”, “Janie”, “Love Will Find A Way”, “Time Will Tell”, “Huge Wad”, “Whiskey Lover”

www.myspace.com/officialdrgrindpage
www.eonianrecords.com