Steered by Chris Carusos and Bud Drago,
CharacterZ's two-decade tenure is smattered across
From Under a Rock, and as a result, this compilation is all over the map stylistically. Starting with
the Young Fresh Fellows-feel of "My Girlfriend Is a Reptile," the pair -- utilizing a series of interchangeable co-conspirators -- shifts into catchy, upbeat guitar pop like "Just Another Working Day," and the new wave-inspired vibes of "Nasty Plan/Orson's Song" and "Am I Speaking English." While the post-September 11th somberness of "When They're Bleeding" boasts capable melodies, there are noticeable cracks in
CharacterZ' musical sidewalk. The synth-plagued "Ghetto Rock" -- which dates back to 1987 -- hasn't aged well, while the utilization of a car as a metaphor for sex on "Vroom Vroom" is downright laughable, thanks to lyrics about "going to 69 in seconds." When they bow out with "The Answer Is Yes," an
Allman Brothers-styled ballad, Carusos and Drago deserve some applause, but
From Under a Rock is a hit-or-miss experience. ~ John D. Luerssen