Concrete and Gasoline is an all-new selection of original songs from Central PA’s Thunderbox. A follow up to 2002’s A Postcard From the Sun, Concrete and Gasoline’s 17 tracks showcase Thunderbox’s songwriting diversity- from the opening jangle of “Incredible Girl” to the polished pop goodness of “My Favorite Pain” to the grit and muscle of “Drive,” Thunderbox delivers. Whether it’s the world-beat of “Turnaround” or the anthemic “Simple Revolution,” the songs are hooky and memorable, but always compelling.
CD Review from Jim Price of "Pennsylvania Musician" Magazine:
THUNDERBOX – CONCRETE AND GASOLINE (no label) Thunderbox is the studio project creation of Philipsburg-based singer, songwriter and musician John Cimino. It becomes clear upon listening to the seventeen tracks of Thunderbox’s second CD, Concrete and Gasoline, that Cimino possesses the gift of a knowing good song hook. Such a multitude of songs might sound cumbersome in the hands of lesser songsmiths, but Cimino’s ability to craft a variety of catchy, hook-laden ear candy keeps Concrete and Gasoline captivating and fresh for the duration. The prevalent flavor is straightforward, guitar-driven, modern rock and roll, with the driving opener “Incredible Girl” setting the tone. Songs such as “Road to Nevermore,” “Novocaine,” “Rumble Strips” and the uptempo “What I Have Lost” display a Matthew Sweet power-pop flavor; while the anthemic “Simple Revolution,” the acoustic-geared “First Thing on My Mind,” the uptempo “Last One Out” and the punk-tinged “Drive” display a vigor more consistent with the Foo Fighters and Goo Goo Dolls. Other highlights include the playful and acoustic “Turnaround,” guest singer/collaborator Adam Bell’s clever, fast-firing lyrics and cadence on the piano-driven “My Favorite Pain,” the psychedelic Beatle-like pop of “Can’t Do It Without You,” and the Fab 4-rooted closing ode “December Skies,” accented by Brett Albert’s strings and horns. Along with playing guitars and bass, Cimino sings most of the songs with a calm, smooth and rangeful voice, with Bell offering a similar and soulful tone on five songs. Michael Hughes provides a steady and staccato drumbeat behind it all, Albert contributes piano, strings and horns, and Brandon Giuffre and Darin Warren make cameo appearances on guitar. Produced by Cimino and Hughes and recorded this past summer at the Philipsburg-Osceola Junior High auditorium and The Laundry Room, Concrete and Gasoline sounds bright and full on all of its flavors, with the variation of electric and acoustic arrangements plus layered vocals and harmonies keeping things busy, while preserving the catchiness and simplicity of the melodies. John Cimino further proves his songcrafting talents and versatility through Thunderbox, and Concrete and Gasoline is an infectious set whose variety sounds fresh throughout. (To obtain the CD, visit the Thunderbox website, www.thunderboxmusic.com.)
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