Tragically, mainman Clyde Holly died during the recording of Biloxi's third album, an event that would have led to most bands throwing in the towel.
But as is so often the case, circumstances dictated events.
 
Many coastal towns in the USA's southern states had just been laid waste by hurricane Katrina, including the band's home town of Biloxi. This natural disaster had already awoken 'we shall not be moved' spirit in the local population. This second disaster - Holly's untimely death - reinforced the band's determination to see things through to the end. 
Consequently, led by new guitarist Mark Lanoue's bold attempt to fill Holly's vocal shoes, the remaining members did what they believed Holley would have wanted, they completed 'Biloxi III'.
 
Most of the songs for the album had already been written, and Holly had recorded his lead guitar parts for five of these. But he had recorded vocals for only two songs.
A huge gap to fill.
 
Unfortunately, despite Lanoue and the rest of the band striving hard to fill that gap, they have been found wanting.
 
Firstly, many of the tracks on the Cd I have sound like demo recordings. Lanoue is not a great vocalist, and you are never confident he's going to nail every note. This just compounds the amateurish feel on several tracks.
When you think of the magnificent 'Let The Games Begin' you want to weep.
 
Yet, tracks like the ironic 'Pray For Rain' (Holly on vocals) and the poignant 'The Other Side' (Lanoue on vocals) vividly recall the majestic, streamlined Biloxi of old, with Lanoue laying down a truly commanding axe solo on the latter.
 
But these highpoints are badly let down by clumsy arrangements and gratingly harsh vocals on potentially good songs like '15 Minutes' and 'Empty Road To Nowhere'.
 
More money, more time, a better vocalist, an experienced producer and this could have been a classic.
As it is, yes, the guys deserve immense credit for going those extra miles and completing the recordings.
But in the end, it's such a pity that the results are so disappointing.

Written by Brian
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
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Ratings

Brian: 4/10

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