The last time I went to a live venue club, they had 3 bands play back to back, all were very entertaining, talented, knew how to work the crowd, an utterly indistinguishable between the three. The sense of deja-vu was almost physical when I heard ROXY BLUE's self-titled album.

All experienced and very talented, they unfortunately seem stuck in that time known as the mid to late 80's, when the main streaming of metal was in full progress, hair bands wandered free unencumbered by the concept of "Innovation" and walking into any music store could put together a competent band that had the sound in minutes.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good album with some playlist worthy song, such as "Outta the Blue" and "Till the Well Runs Dry" the latter actually providing an opportunity for crowd participation, but for the most part it's fairly formulaic in its presentation.

Todd Poole is capable, and there is just nothing wrong with his voice, but on first hearing it I ran through other vocalists he sounded like and the list was long. Josh Well and Scott Trammell work great together, and Josh presents his part with flare and true understanding of his role in a band with one guitar. That part is well represented by Sid Fletcher whose overall guitar sound is near perfection, along with the sounds coming out of the other guys. It's just too bad the product they're making is mediocre.

When it's all said and done, ROXY BLUE is a good CD, just not a stand out. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it, but in a collection of music as large as mine, it'll get played once or twice, then end up with a host of other recordings that while good, get lost in the ether. (including one of my own, recorded while in possession of a cheap 8 track machine and a 66 oz. or 2l of rot gut Canadian Whisky) If I could see them live though, I think it would be worth the cover charge.Production  9