Review of "Outside Looking In" from Lokal Loudness - July 2001

July's release of the month is from a band of lokal veterans known as DEVILTOWN and their debut release "Outside Looking In".

Featuring former members of lokal past acts as SMILE, HUNDRED YEAR SUN as well as current members of HORSEPOWER and regional powerhouse BILLIONAIRE, DEVILTOWN has the daunting task of living up to previously legendary proportions. But even with all the backgrounds of guitarist Grady Nickel, drummer Steve Howard and bassist Walter Busbee, DEVILTOWN's debut is most heavily influenced and reminiscent of the clever stylings of guitarist/vocalist David Bradberry.

What makes this different than your average Bradberry platter? Well, while the soft vocals and dark melodies are still there, the addition of Nickels' country slide guitar style adds a mood that could possibly be the one thing that previous Bradberry recordings were lacking. The presence of hookish melodies don't hurt either. "Big Rock" is sing-a-long-able in a Nirvana-esque sort of way while the title track goes where REM can only reminisce about returning to. "The Place to Be" lets in a little of Nickel's country-folk styling while "Dazed with Memories" is a very epicly upbeat pop ditty that is a full on "fun to turn up and roll down the windows" tune.

Final synopsis-DEVILTOWN rocks and not only does "Outside Looking In" go good right next to your fave Haunted Pillar/Bradberry induced cds, it downright takes the cake!