Yeah, it sounds like someplace you'd take your car for repairs, but this Lloyd’s Garage is all about the raw, earnest feel of do-it-yourself garage rock. With influences that include The Black Keys, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin, you get the notion that these boys are all about classic rock. That is true to a certain extent, but there is a strong indie streak that runs through their record. To me, Lloyd’s Garage sounds more like Josh Todd of Buckcherry singing songs written by Eugene Edwards.
Lloyd’s Garage is a duo comprised of Seth Heitzmann (vocals, guitar) and Lloyd Llewelyn on the drums. "From the Comfort of Your Home" is their first full-length CD and it packs a powerful punch - the guitars blast out at you as if competing with the thundering drums, and Heitzmann never misses an opportunity to show he can howl. The band also touches on some interesting lyrical themes, from unattached consumerism, broken homes, and biting retorts about love.
The band confesses that their songs are uncomplicated, "a near-pure homage to the late 60s and early 70s". The guitars are full of mid-range, making the record sound a bit dark overall. I can respect going for simplicity in the songwriting, but sometimes this comes off as laziness - the same riff is hammered into your head for 3+ minutes and the monotony takes it from catchy to stale in no time. More dynamics throughout the record would have made for a more engaging listening experience.
If you want to get a feel for Lloyd’s Garage, I'd recommend you check out a few of the stronger tracks: "Return To Sender", "The Devil, The Matchmaker", and "A Casualty Friend".
iPOD-worthy: 3, 7, 9
Lloyd’s Garage on MySpace. Official site.
Check out the a video for the song "Warmth", performed live:
