Published on Feb 18, 1999
CMC International has a problem – namely, an image
problem. Because they’ve dared to take chances with acts that other
labels wouldn’t want to touch because they’re seen as being
unmarketable, they’ve been called a label where old acts go to die.
(This is all beside the fact that many of these groups have put out
works that sound like new life has been breathed into them.)
So, the time has come for CMC to sign their first new artist –
and the honor falls to Cutters, an Indiana-based quartet whose
music is a cross between Collective Soul, Edwin McCain and Live.
Their debut album,
Sonic Wave Love, has many moments that show this is a band
to watch in the future, but one does find themselves withing that
the band would try and develop their own unique voice.
The group – vocalist/guitarist Tommy Berry, bassist Ron Calder,
keyboardist Bill Maki and drummer Pete Wilhoit – come out of the
gate strong with the first single “Satisfied”. The energy level and
songwriting ability of the band is impressive, showing that Cutters
are more than just a cookie-cutter band mimicking the flavor of the
week. The opening effects alone are worth the price of admission –
Sonic indeed!
So where do some of the other artist comparisons I mentioned
come into play? When I hear tracks like “Hero,” the flavor of
Collective Soul is heard in both the harmony of the vocals and the
tempos of the songs. When tracks like “Watching” come on, the
acoustic backbone of the song, combined with Berry’s vocals,
conjures up comparisons to Edwin McCain and “I’ll Be” (even though
I know that “Watching” is a faster tempoed number). On still others
like “As I Fly,” the Live influence enters in with the jangly
guitars and the hints of more offbeat chords being used at
times.
All of this is well and good, and other tracks like “Genie” and
“Gilgamesh” all serve as further testament to the talent that is in
Cutters. But where
Sonic Wave Love eventually develops its weakness is that
Cutters never do really develop their own unique style, even though
what they’re doing is by no means ripping off the other mentioned
artists.
Developing a band’s own unique style and sound is possibly the
toughest “growing pain” that any act has to go through – and I’ve
heard too many over the years, good and bad, who just were never
able to clear this hurdle. But this is where Cutters have an
advantage; already an act with some road scars to talk about, I
don’t think it will be long before the band will carve their own
path in the pop/rock world.
Until that day comes,
Sonic Wave Love is a pleasant enough starting point for the
band, and is an album that is worth your attention – as well as a
fighting chance to get heard on the radio.