This self-titled debut from French psych-rockers the Socks finds the group shooting for Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, but falling closer to Wolfmother. Like their Australian forebears, the Socks have chops, but fail to really use them to work out solid grooves. More often than not the Socks opt to power through each track at 1000 miles per hour, demonstrating exceptional speed and agility as a group, but little in the way of soul.
Opening track "Lord of Illusion" is a perfect example of what the Socks get wrong: the band's nervous energy keeps the riffs flowing, but also finds them hesitant to settle in anywhere for too long. Overall, the record is enjoyable, and the band are adept at structuring their songs in unconventional ways, but they do so at the expense of establishing anything truly memorable.
(Small Stone)Opening track "Lord of Illusion" is a perfect example of what the Socks get wrong: the band's nervous energy keeps the riffs flowing, but also finds them hesitant to settle in anywhere for too long. Overall, the record is enjoyable, and the band are adept at structuring their songs in unconventional ways, but they do so at the expense of establishing anything truly memorable.
