What's Up! Magazine

It’s always a bit awkward when I (the editor of What’s Up!) ends up reviewing one of the magazine’s writer’s discs. As is the case with many writers who are also musicians, it’s difficult reviewing a friend or coworker’s CD. Can I really be honest and objective? What if it sucks? I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. But, alas, this month, I ended up with Boris Budd’s CD to review.

Having heard Boris’s previous material, I had a pretty good idea of what I was in for a musically sound CD with anger-infused lyrics about the government and, of course, pro pot references. What I got did indeed include angry lyrics about the government the new administration hasn’t dampened Boris’s anger, just changed his focus and there are indeed references to pot. However, this disc was stronger, tighter and more engaging than any of his previous material.

Simply put, it’s a damn cool CD.

The fact that Boris is blind often gets more attention than his music, but as time passes and he focuses on music as an outlet, his songwriting becomes stronger and hooks more engaging. The sound can best be described as hard rock good loud guitars, an insanely tight rhythm section yet Boris’s vocals are surprisingly subtle, leaving the lyrics to carry the message more than his voice.

The key though to the disc, the band’s ace in the hole, is the addition of Shawnee Kilgore on backing vocals. Her voice is melodic and sweet, yet crisp, adding a unique dimension to the sound. Instead of sounding like an angry rock band, Boris Budd and the Waterboarders sound like a good rock band.

Of course, every album has its rough spots and this one is no exception but to focus on the negative would take away from what a cool album Capitalism – Capitalize really is.

Self-Released

myspace.com/borisbudd