Wooden HEZ | Children's Parade | Review

Article Contributed by Janne Zawa | Published on Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I have to say I was extremely impressed with the opening 3 tracks "Take Them There”, “Radio Man” and the title track. They made quite the first impression with me. Each one possessed my full unadulterated attention. To be honest: I expected cheesy Singer Songwriter Pop cut from the same cloth as say a Jason Mraz or Rob Thomas. Not that there’s anything wrong with Jason Mraz or Rob Thomas, I just want to hear something new and different and something that will shake the tree a bit. Really I’m up for anything at this point. What I discovered blew me out of my chair. The whole CD is a breath of fresh air and is full of what I would call rocked out energy with a Alternative-Punk-Rock-style that appeals to so many different senses on so many different levels. It reminds me of Minutemen, Meat Puppets, Iggy Pop and Dinosaur Jr. to Crash Test Dummies. I can also hear the slight Psychedelic-Rock influence in there as well. What I really like about Wooden HEZ is there is no attempt to deliver what I call over the top pop. Cheezy music with a handsome face via top flight sampling, cookie cutter songwriting via a mix that sounds more like a commercial than a piece of music.  Children’s Parade appeals to both many different kinds of rockers. Whatever kind of listening level you’re on – Punk, Alternative Rock, Surf Rock some will identify with things while others will not. Weather it’s musically, lyrically, inspirationally, emotionally, spiritually - if you feel like music is taking us in the wrong direction than rest assured Wooden HEZ is taking us back in the right direction with “Children’s Parade.”Pardon my French but this CD sounds like it was recorded in a flooded basement. Pretty knurly sounding quality overall that will give you a splitting headache 5 songs into the experience.  Guys take my advice – pony up some cash and go to a real recordings studio and get a real Mixer to take charge of your sound. The mix is everything! CD’s also a bit short.Despite the negatives Wooden HEZ still brings the mojo to the table and I have no doubt they are a killer live band. Ironically Wooden HEZ affirmed my faith in good music again – I just wish it sounded better. Listening to Wooden HEZ is like watching a really good movie on a black and white TV. However he still represents all that is magical, real and good in music and his latest CD delivers a highly passionate 9 track catalog via rock solid playing, amazing songwriting and music that covers all the bases: Rock, Pop and Psychedelic-Surf Rock-Americana.