Reviews by Kit Garrett in Black Velvet

Miss Black America - Terminal
(R*E*P*E*A*T)

To say that the story behind Miss Black America is turbulent would be a huge understatement. Yet despite the loss of fingers and band members as well as his own alcohol addiction and
health problems, MBA frontman Seymour Glass proves on the band's
sophomore release that the adversity that goes hand in hand with being in one of the most popular underground bands of the new millennium has only distilled and intensified his talent.

Opener 'Terminal One' acts as a sort of overture or summary, pulling together musical ideas from other tracks on the album to make a delicate track all of itself. Rather than cheapen-
ing the ensuing experience, it deepens it and gives the work a sense of continuity that's sadly lacking from many modern rock offerings. Followed by the out and out anthem for self-destruction (and lead single), 'Dot Dot Dot', we see the creation of a beautiful juxtaposition that leaves the listener open-mouthed.

The album moves on at a relentless pace, with no breaks in the sonic assault until around ten minutes into the album. Its real success comes from the fact that despite its at times heavy
lyrical subject matter, the record never loses its sense of hope and triumph, this being most apparent on stand-outs 'Freefall', 'Automatic' and 'Emotional Junkmail'.

A more upbeat record than its predecessor, 'Terminal' is the sound of a band more alive than ever and a testament to the willpower of Glass who, despite the opportunity to slip into self-pity, never did. Instead he chose to fight back, and the result is one of the most vibrant and upbeat albums of the year.
If they manage to secure proper national distribution, Terminal' should become both a critical and commercial success.

God knows after the struggles these guys have been through they deserve it.

****

Miss BLACK AMERICA
DOT DOT DOT
(R'E-P"E-A*T)

Miss Black America profess 'Dot Dot Dot' to be 'a gloriously O.T.T. three and a half minutes of unpretentious rock 'n' fuck-
ing roll' and they're not far wrong. Not only is it destined to be this summer's alternative/rock club anthem (the relentless pace, driving, nearly tribal drums and crunching guitars making it an instant pit-starter), but the track also serves to both
re-introduce the band to a community that had all but forgotten about them.

Occasionally bass-heavy production prevents the single from getting the full 5/5 but despite this, 'Dot Dot Dot' remains a
tubthumpin' piece of glam rock in the vein of Rachel Stamp that deserves to do well in the charts. Roll on the tour.

****
Kit Garrett