Caught in the Carousel

Ken Block

Drift
Rock Ridge Music

Ken Block

I know what you're thinking: "Ken Block? Isn't that the f@*cking guy from Sister Hazel?" You be right. Ken Block is the chrome-domed, eternally happy frontman from the '90s Hootie rip-off Sister Hazel. To be fair, those guys haven't done too shabby: At last count, they've sold over a million records and released more than one decent single. You can either get over the mindless, painfully singable commercial ode to your high school girlfriend's panties "All For You" or you can't. You are either the type of music fan that abides by a strict statute of limitations for that type of radio bile or you're not. Either way, there remains a blatantly philosophical question at the heart of the whole deal: Do we really need the f@*cking guy from Sister Hazel releasing solo records? Is the world indeed a better place now that this has actually come to pass? Truthfully...not really.

Once you strip away the layers upon layers of cheesy lyrics and wussy vocal harmonies, Sister Hazel is actually a pretty solid rock band. Unfortunately, when you put out a single called "Happy," you have to pay the price when the public comes to their senses and realizes that they aren't that fired up about songs telling them to smile all the time. Backlash ensues. The band, however, survived and has settled into a routine of touring (very successfully, mind you) throughout the country and hosting their yearly homage to spring break for adults aboard "The Rock Boat."

All this being said: A solo record from the Sister Hazel guy? Really?

Ken Block has always been able to turn a phrase. He can also flat out sing. This doesn't change the fact that Drift is filled with songs that sound like castoffs from the last Sister Hazel record. In fact, most of the record sounds like the last Sister Hazel record. So much so, that the whole thing brings up yet another question: Why isn't this record the next Sister Hazel record? It might as well be. "Blue To A Blind Man" is one of the disc's brightest moments (with spectacular back-up vocals by Marie Misagon) mostly because it's somber. In fact, the best moments on Drift are the saddest ones; it's strangely fulfilling to hear Block sing about the sad shit. It's also gratifying to finally hear this guy admit that it's not all that bright and shiny out there. "We Don't Talk Anymore" and "Chance" stand up to many of Sister Hazel's better songs, but would probably be best served to have actually been saved for the bands' next record.

Look, say what you want about Ken Block or his band; he really is one of the good guys. He is renowned for his selfless promoting of up-and-coming artists as well as a large amount giving back, including a very successful venture called "Lyrics For Life." He is always going to be that f@*cking guy from Sister Hazel singing "All for You" and that's perfectly fine. But was a solo record really necessary? It's doubtful, but hey, I know when no one is in the car and you're driving in a part of town where no one will recognize you or your car, you'll turn up "All For You" and sing it until you're hoarse. Deny it, I dare you. We know our own.

—Shawn Brown