Critical Velocity

Review: They get points for effort, at least. Sometimes energetic and always ambitious, Critical Velocity lacks only a few things, experience among them. This mostly freshman band suffers from ample cliché in rock and roll is heaven song "Rock and Roll Revelation" and even worse the boring and angst-filled "Neglected." There is hope for them though. While Critical Velocity occasionally lacks immediacy in their sluggish rhythm section, the lead guitar is very promising; Smith's ability to energize a song is evident as his rambling lead work invigorates the rest of the band. Once they mature lyrically to a point beyond rhyming "real" with "feel" they should be a competent addition to the Blair scene.

Genre: Rock and Roll.

Band Members:
Jon Musgrave (Blair, freshman): Drums
Ben Smith (Walter Johnson, freshman): Guitar and vocals
Zach Falkow (North Bethesda Middle School, 07): Rhythm guitar and back-up vocals
Max Fisher (BCC, freshman): Bass

Influences: Pantera, Korn, Nile, Black Crowes, ACDC, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynrd. George Clinton, Rage Against the Machine.

History: A Day Jams summer camp program paired Falkow and Smith together; soon they added old friends Fisher and Smith. Since last fall they've practiced "like crazy," written five original songs and cut a demo.

Albums: Critical Velocity Demo.

Website: http://www.criticalvelocity.blogspot.com/

Best thing about being in a band: "Having four guys that are…near brothers to you…brotherhood," Musgrave claims.

Worst thing about being in a band: Organizing a band practice from across the county," according to Musgrave.

Best Song: Daily Morning Blues.

Worst Song: Neglected.

Reaction from other Blair musician: "Oooof." (Welch Canavan, The Narrative Life)

Quotable: "Play loud music and live long and prosper," Musgrave says.