QoH underscores metal quotient of Smashing Pumpkins
author: Craig Schmidt Of Chicagogigs
The period between which a dated form of music must pass before it can go from passè to retro seems to have finally and fully passed in the case of heavy/hair metal. While the sheeny hits of Van Halen, Dokken and the like are repackaged and vigorously peddled on late night television, the bands of today are venturing forth to plunder the ruins left behind by the aforesaid bands to see if anything creatively significant was left behind after grunge set the 80s aflame.
To tell the truth, the results of the rock archaeologists in question – Question of Honour - are a little confusing. While their latest LP "Canopic Jars," bears an unmistakable 80s influence, it actually is more significant in that it truly underscores the high metal quotient in Question of Honour’s contemporary sonic kin, namely Smashing Pumpkins. But that’s a whole other review.
The music itself is vigorous enough; bassist/vocalist Ken Pitchford and drummer David Wygmans are in audacious lockstep throughout. They are perfect foils, in fact, for the unfailingly confident guitars of Hugh W. Wygmans, who delivers the band’s vocals in an unmistakably Billy Corgan-esque nasal tenor.
Speaking of the lyrics, they are perfectly emblematic of 80s-pop struggle between glossy, preening braggadocio and the earnestness that marked the better, er, ballads of that time. Question of Honour plow right through all potential contradictions with unswerving aplomb. But one is inclined to wonder how these guys could miss the ill logic in singing "I don't want to be alone/Oh, I can't live" on the same record as "I want to tie you up/I'd like to strap you down/You'd look so good there upon your knees." How are you supposed to get girls, talking out of both sides of your mouth like that?
Based on the conviction with which he sings there can be no doubt Wygmans believes every word of what he sings. It’s just that, somehow the two schools of lyricism just don’t add up. Then again, maybe the point is they were never supposed to.
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