http://www.i94bar.com/reviews/curse.html FEED THE DOGS - The Holy Curse (/Turborock/) *If you're smart enough to have picked up on the hi-energy jams that France's best rock and roll band The Holy Curse pump out, you'll know they rarely put a foot wrong. And so it goes with Album Number Four (Number Five if you count their double disc compilation/live effort on Aussie label Off The Hip.)The Holy Curse wed driving guitar rock to melodies in a way most of their competitors can only dream of. It's proudly in the same vein as the Radios, and the New Christs (even moreso), delivered with soul and passion that can't be faked. With "Feed The Dogs" they take a psychedelic route to reach the same destination."Feed The Dogs" is where guitarist Sonic Polo really steps up to the plate. A twin-guitar band for many years, Holy Curse had cause to take stock and reassess things with the departure of their other six-string compadre, Pascal, prior to their 2005 Australian tour. A few of the old tunes went by the wayside and the band wrote a stack of newies. "Feed The Dogs" was Polo's opportunity to work on his own terms and expand his sonic palette. He didn't waste it. If we're talking about a move further into psychedelic territory (like on the epic "The Music & The Noise", "Bye Bye Preacherman" and "The Other Side") then we should stress that The Holy Curse haven't forsaken their love for what's loosely termed Detroit Rock. This album rocks as hard as any of its predecessors. In that vein, "RSVP" is a tough-as-nails love song (that you should have grabbed on a split single with Johnny Casino & The Secrets, also on Turborock). "Sister Soul" is a crunching hip-shaker with an irresistible chorus and an engine block made on a production line in the Motor City. "Let's Go Surfin'" pits Birdmanish wave-riding with "Distemper"-era New Christs dissonance. "The Music & The Noise" is a rippling, powerful song that might be frontman Eric Holycurse's best recorded vocal. The Holy Curse never overplay their hand, however, and the rhythm section always maintains a deftness and drive. There's a great feel at the heart of the closer "Universal Children" to underline the fact. Someone reckoned anger is an energy. There's plenty of both in "Cash Machine", a stinging rebuke of reality TV-fueled pap, and the grim narrative of "Bye Bye Preacherman" where a kiddy-fiddling priest gets his just deserts. On the other hand, there's lots of humour in the noisy blues lament "Shit Happens" which sounds like it was a ball to record. Committed to tape with analog gear over three continents at studios in France, Detroit and Sydney, "Feed The Dogs" involves produciton assists from Gary Rasmussen (Sonic's Rendezvous Band), Deniz Tek and French psych master Lucas Trouble (The Vietnam Veterans). Guest vocals from Mark Sisto and Dr Tek sit alongside a guitar contribution from Rasmussen.It's only on LP but if you're quick here or ask the band nicely you might score a bonus CD promo of the album. Grab it and hear one of last Real Rock and Roll bands.