Reviews for Starve the Dead...

ALLMUSIC.COM

In what can only be termed a surprising development, Throttlerod's Starve the Dead EP is an astoundingly mellow release! Clearly a repository for unusual songwriting ideas, the five-tracker eschews the band's typically energetic post-stoner rock crunch to focus on the Southern rock and country influences hidden just beneath the surface -- not to mention an additional affinity for country. Ghost town ballads "Long Winded Train" and "This Town" convincingly ape that Skynyrd/Crowes thing, while the EP's best ballad, "Steal the End," arguably strikes a perfect balance between old country-rock and new alt-rock sensibilities (think that laid-back adult rock swing Kid Rock was trying to nail during his mid-2000s reinvention). Remaining cuts "Borrowed Chair" and the title track don't quite measure up, but hardly stink, either, making for a peculiar detour serious fans will probably not regret investigating.

Ed Rivadavia
January, 2005
allmusic.com

URANIUM MUSIC

One of the most promising acts of the heavy rock genre in the past few years is Throttlerod from Small Stone Records which is also home to such acts as Porn, Sasquatch, Axehandle, and Sons of Otis to name a few. With their limited edition latest effort ôStarve the Deadö mini-album, the band has continued their formidable rock prowess and delved even further into the stonerÆs psyche. Pot-induced riffs throughout that even Bongzilla couldÆve lay waste to while still turning out enough rock solos to please any ACDC fan.

Small Stone Records for those who arenÆt familiar with their history (and I know that most of you probably arenÆt given that this is a mainly metal site) have released a glut of stoner rock and doom pieces that any fan of this genre would more or less spend hours drooling uncontrollably over, Throttlerod is at the climax of that unpleasant episode. Though not familiar with until receiving what looked to be the labels complete current catalog (including ThrottlerodÆs debut album and this mini-album), I quickly became a huge fan of this band. I love stoner when itÆs done right. Bands such as Rebreather, Keelhaul, and Alabama ThunderpussyÆs older records are all prime examples of this genre done right. I also love my rock when itÆs done right as well. Bands such as The Hellacopters, Turbonegro, and The Datsuns are the best examples of rock the way it was originally intended to sound. These are two of my favorite styles when executed with integrity and gritty, yet clean production. The only thing better is when the styles are combined to form a vicious array of sound much like what Throttlerod fine crafted on ôHell and High Water,ö there 2003 sophomore full length release on Small Stone.

Starve the Dead is an entirely separate beast. Though still rockinÆ this limited edition mini-album shows the band in the absence of their signature sound, showcasing the bandÆs superb emotive songwriting on the brink of sheer greatness with five semi-acoustic numbers to wet your whistle too, thought not entirely unplugged. The only way to describe this record is to remember the Alice in Chains ep releases, especially ôSapö and how they showed a different side of the band but not a complete departure from their normal style.

For those who like a pleasant change from your every day stoner/sludge/metal or what ever your musical tastes happens to be, this is a superb release. Anyone who is a fan of Alice in Chains or southern inspired rock will eat this right up. Though this is most likely one of the softest releases to ever be reviewed on this site, it should definitely be consumed by anyone and everyone looking for a transition between your AC~DC collection and your radio rock classics that you hide away in shame from all your metal friends. My suggestion is that anyone that loves superb rock music, but is not sure if they will dig a semi-acoustic record, should buy ThrottlerodÆs ôHell and High Waterö and when you fall in love with their rock, check out Starve the Dead as this is a release that deserves some much needed attention.

G. Landers
January, 2005
uraniummusic.com

MONOLITH (Greece)

Throttlerod are definitely one of my favorite southern rock bands. The three guys from South Carolina after cracking our teeth with their two first releases "Eastbound And Down"on Underdogma and "Hell And High Water" on Small Stone are delivering one of the biggest surprises of this year!

"Starve The Dead" is everything I didnÆt expect to hear from them after its predecessors. This new EP from Throttlerod contains 5 songs that sound completely different than the typical Throttlerod songs or any other bands with southern commences. It would have been a lie if I wouldnÆt admit that ôStarve The Deadö didnÆt rang any bells from the past, the comparison with "Jar Of Flies" and Screaming Trees softer moments is unavoidable. So what!! This 5 track EP is surely the most mature release of the band even though is not quite representative of what Throttlerod are really about. The opening ôBorrowed Chairö is a beautiful heavy ballad with great melodic vocals from Matt Whitehead and with a catchy guitar riff that breaks in the middle of the song. "Long Winded Train"is the proof of some country rock origins. "Starve The Dead"is the only time that the band actually steps the pedal a little bit and the results are great! "Steal the end" and "This town" are completing the bands work with the same way as the opening track but also leaving just a small glimpse of the bands southern roots. Finally the taste that "Starve The Dead" leaving is that we have to deal with a really inventive band with a quite big easiness in catchy songwriting. IÆm waiting curiously their next blow and hope to become satisfied with it as much as with this one!

Rate: 10/13

SonicBoom
December, 2004
monolith.gr

STONERROCK.COM

How do you follow an album as good as 2003Æs Hell and High Water? Especially after parting ways with a guitarist and paring down to a three-piece? If youÆre Throttlerod, itÆs with Starve the Dead, a five track collection of low key songs.

Comparisons to Alice in Chains are inevitable. After all, they perfected the art of the acoustic follow-up EP. But itÆs not quite right to link the two bands. Full length Alice in Chains albums were morose, dirge-like affairs looking at the ugly side of addiction; Sap and Jar of Flies focused more on melody and at times had an air of hope to them. Hell and High Water was a full-on rock album; while the predominate style of music on Starve the Dead is mellower, the songs would fit well on Hell and High Water.

Of the five songs, three are winners, oneÆs a grower, and one doesnÆt sit well. ôLong-winded Train,ö ôStarve the Dead,ö and ôThis Townö all have the hallmarks of classic Throttlerod û stellar, catchy songwriting, with the right amount of Southern roots rock. ItÆs a comfortable sound. ôBorrowed Chair,ö the lead track, took awhile to gel, but its chorus eventually got to me. Only ôSteal the Endö doesnÆt work. To me, the style is too reminiscent of whatÆs on modern hard rock radio and as a result doesnÆt give the song much of an identity.

Starve the Dead is essentially a continuation and growth of ThrottlerodÆs sound. While it may not show the progression from Eastbound and Down to Hell and High Water, it is testament that the band keeps getting better and better.

John Pegoraro
October, 2004
StonerRock.com

HELLRIDE MUSIC

Here's a CD your girlfriend will dig and you won't feel like a wuss for listening to.

While the latest Throttlerod release doesn't contain their signature sound, it won't confuse longtime fans because the emotive song writing remains. Starve the Dead is reminiscent of the stopgap Alice in Chains EPs, in that it shows a different side of the band without necessarily being a departure in style.

Although the band has forsaken electric in favor of acoustic guitars, it isn't primarily unplugged. Besides, less is more; the stripped down version of Throttlerod is just as good as the amped up one, maybe even more enjoyable. Starve the Dead may be the band's finest hour.

Sure, it's a bit softer in spots, but it allows for the songs to be much more dynamic than in the past. The title track is the finest example of this, as it builds into the bandÆs heaviest track to date, culminating in a solo that rivals that of "Honest Joe." (from ThrottlerodÆs 2003Æs Hell And High Water release).

Even though the hooks are huge, the lyrics introspective and the harmonies surprisingly lavish, the real genius within these five songs are the subtleties. Be it the tambourine that recalls Mazzy Star in "Long Winded Train" or the chord progression in "Borrowed Chair," it all shows uncanny, tuneful maturity. No band can shift between straightforward rock and laid-back, mellow songs as effortlessly as Throttlerod.

Mat Urbancich
September, 2004

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1. Borrowed Chair
2. Long-Winded Train
3. Starve the Dead
4. Steal the End
5. This Town