Home > Music > CD Review > Rose Hill Drive, 'Moon Is the New Earth'

Rose Hill Drive, 'Moon Is the New Earth'

Young rockers emulate their ‘70s heroes, with mixed results

By Jeff Miller

Special to Metromix
June 23, 2008

Critic's Rating:

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Backstory: This Colorado trio is led by a pair of siblings whose worship of the most classic of classic rock (Zep, Sabbath) has led to gigs at festivals like Austin City Limits and a jam with one of their heroes, formidable Who guitarist Pete Townshend.

Why you should care: With everyone from the Raconteurs to My Morning Jacket finding inspiration in ‘70s guitar rock, Rose Hill Drive could be the next chug-and-thug breakthrough.

Verdict: While “Moon Is the New Earth” is packed with killer riffs and rowdy lead parts, it's the acoustic songs that stand out: “Do You Wanna Get High” and “One Night Stand” not only get them away from the easy ‘70s rock comparisons, but give singer Jacob Sproul a chance to show off his impressive falsetto. But when the rockin’ is on, something gets lost in the translation: “Godfather” is a Queens of the Stone Age pummel minus the attitude, and “Laughing in the Streets” is the equivalent of first-rate Stone Temple Pilots—or third-rate Thin Lizzy, depending on how you look at it.

X-Factor: Proving that a pair of glasses and a pocket protector can make anyone nerdy: the band's video for “Sneak Out,” which recasts the trio as gameless pencil pushers.

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