Russ Stedman - "Panic" (CD, 2000)
RUSS STEDMAN - "PANIC" (HOMEMADEMUSIC.COM) The latest from Russ Stedman is full of lots of guitars, a Roger Waters cover, and Russ' angry young man agitating at every turn. Even Russ' love songs (not that there are any, but) are a peeved at something. And it's damn funny. Russ's guitars here often sound driven through the fuzzboxes of your youth, just for good measure. Oh, you haven't had the pleasure? Think Kiss and Zappa. The guy never disappoints and can outplay any of us in an afterthought. Panic would even be a great place to START an all-encompassing Russ Stedman collection, so get to it. (Bryan Baker)
RUSS STEDMAN - "PANIC"(Autoreverse #12)Extremely dark music, filtered through punk and classic rock sensibilities. "Ashamed" is an unhappy little dark number about, uh, shame. "So Fucking Happy" uses its sarcastic hooks and la la la's as a cover for some very moody lyrics. Indeed. "One of My Turns" is another Pink Floyd song I'm not familiar with. "Happy Pills" takes a riff-metal approach to the catharsis. Chugging through chord changes and sneery lyrics. Sweet. "Future Past" goes acoustic and recalls solo Bob Mould. "O Elvis" rounds out the set with piano and, uh, finger snapping. Stedman's voice sounds kind of Elvis Costello, maybe that's what it's about. Whatever it is, he's pissed. (Ian C. Stewart)