Review by Jack on September 24, 2002.

First up these are some of the most unorthodox and queer lyrics I have ever had the pleasure (or displeasure) of reading from an album booklet. Craw as some of you may be familiar with are composed of some parts of Keelhaul, and play an infectious of brand of hardcore/metal hard rock that is fast, heavy, energetic, grinding, slimy, and perky. Yet their new album “Bodies for Strontium 90” is often all of the above adjectives at the same time. Perhaps this gives some indication to the chaos and misanthropy that Craw induce when listening.

At their core, Craw deliver an album that is wild and very hard to work out what it is about. I have had this album for a bit over a month or so and I am still trying to work out where it is going. For instance vocalist Joe McTigh is something of a schizophrenic when it comes to barking out the tunes. One time he can be singing (term used loosely) perfectly in tune with a song (see ‘Caught My Tell’) and the next track he will be shouting or moaning some whimsical crap about the most trivial topics. For instance the song ‘Sex’ starts off with the opening line of ‘Walking through the park one day exercising the hairy eyeball in May I spied a startling example of female...” Pretty interesting, eh, if not a little left field?

That, of course it just a fraction of what Craw has to offer the world. “Bodies for Strontium 90” has been the hardest album I have ever reviewed. I love it, but I can’t really write down an accurate critique of it. It does so much. Pulls so many strings. And the lyrics are simply out of this world. How any sane mind can come up with the lyrical crap on “Bodies for Strontium 90” is well beyond me.

Bottom Line: “Bodies for Strontium 90” contains some of the freakiest tunes I have been exposed to. Ever. Craw twist and weave through 9 songs of trivial topics that are ‘enlightened’ with some of the coolest song-writing and music ever done for a record in this style. I don’t even know if I like this type of music normally. I just know I love this album. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. “Bodies for Strontium 90” is an essential buy.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 10
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Review by Jack on September 24, 2002.

First up these are some of the most unorthodox and queer lyrics I have ever had the pleasure (or displeasure) of reading from an album booklet. Craw as some of you may be familiar with are composed of some parts of Keelhaul, and play an infectious of brand of hardcore/metal hard rock that is fast, heavy, energetic, grinding, slimy, and perky. Yet their new album “Bodies for Strontium 90” is often all of the above adjectives at the same time. Perhaps this gives some indication to the chaos and misanthropy that Craw induce when listening.

At their core, Craw deliver an album that is wild and very hard to work out what it is about. I have had this album for a bit over a month or so and I am still trying to work out where it is going. For instance vocalist Joe McTigh is something of a schizophrenic when it comes to barking out the tunes. One time he can be singing (term used loosely) perfectly in tune with a song (see ‘Caught My Tell’) and the next track he will be shouting or moaning some whimsical crap about the most trivial topics. For instance the song ‘Sex’ starts off with the opening line of ‘Walking through the park one day exercising the hairy eyeball in May I spied a startling example of female...” Pretty interesting, eh, if not a little left field?

That, of course it just a fraction of what Craw has to offer the world. “Bodies for Strontium 90” has been the hardest album I have ever reviewed. I love it, but I can’t really write down an accurate critique of it. It does so much. Pulls so many strings. And the lyrics are simply out of this world. How any sane mind can come up with the lyrical crap on “Bodies for Strontium 90” is well beyond me.

Bottom Line: “Bodies for Strontium 90” contains some of the freakiest tunes I have been exposed to. Ever. Craw twist and weave through 9 songs of trivial topics that are ‘enlightened’ with some of the coolest song-writing and music ever done for a record in this style. I don’t even know if I like this type of music normally. I just know I love this album. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. “Bodies for Strontium 90” is an essential buy.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 10
Overall: 8

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Review by Adam on March 3, 2002.

For years Stuck Mojo have been a major driving force within America’s underground hard rock/metal scene. With Declaration of a Headhunter, they take their greatest aim at mainstream success while still staying true to their hard-hitting sound. The result is Stuck Mojo‘s catchiest material to date! Being the band’s final release, it is also a testament to their many years of struggling and hard work.

The album’s music and lyrics were written completely by guitarist/vocalist Rich Ward. His lyrics are politically charged and thought provoking while his music is extremely stylish and original. Stuck Mojo have always featured various vocal styles on their albums. This one has the least amount of hip hop oriented vocals, which many metal fans have criticized in the past. This time around there is a greater emphasis on the soulful and melodic clean vocals of new bassist Dan Dryden. These vocals really help to enhance the incredibly melodic yet punchy guitar licks. Many of the dual guitar harmonies sound like they could have easily been placed on any melodic death metal cd.

The song structures are pretty similar to past efforts, yet the rapping verses have been trimmed down, leaving less room for lead vocalist Bonz. Those doubting the band’s credibility as true and talented musicians will be shut up once and for all with the amazing instrumental track The Ward Is My Shephard.

One of the greatest things about this disc is the quality of the actual music and production. The sound eminence is very sharp and the production is flawlessly handled by Andy Sneap. This is clearly the band’s most focused and mature album and a fine one to leave behind as the last hurrah. It brings together everything Stuck Mojo stood for in the past while injecting the most catchiest hooks the band has ever recorded. Never before has a rap/metal release come along and not become so blunt and ridiculous that you want to just puke it up. This is genuine hard rock/metal music well deserving of your hard earned money.

Bottom Line: If you like catchy hard rock/heavy metal music full of energy and soul, then this is for you!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 8
Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 10
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.8 out of 10