Grab n' spit
Blasting off with 'Three Sheets To The Wind', The Black Halos grab you by the throat and spit a furious shot of music into your face. This sets the pace for the next number - 'Last Call At The Toothless Saloon' with its glam-punk vocalisations and shamelessly guitar-led sound.
Ramones styled memories are shaken and stirred in the title track 'Alive Without Control' and this sound builds with 'Darkets Corners', a song that shouts "I've got attitude!" They throw a new spanner at you with 'Mirrorman', which is such a heavy, dark number that it is like holding a gun to your head after one bottle too many on a bad day, when it all seems like a good idea. 'Studio Suffering' puts it back in the fast lane with some ace solos from the guitar and drums that are built for audience participation.
'Third World U.S.A' is a song that tries to recreate the original rock sound of the big names in the business - it does this, but at the same time, they ain't Iron Maiden. 'Tight' makes you think that you've just wandered into somebody else's nightmare to begin with but soon moves into the 'spit and fist' sound The Black Halos are carving out, and 'Broken' is so guitar led, you wonder if the vocals are ever gonna kick in, but when they do, they deliver a pure package of screaming drawl. 'Burning Trash' gives you anything but trash. Connect with the drums and lead vocals in this number and you will get the 'burning' part of this number's title.
'Unchanged' is surprisingly softer and, although still in your face, lacks the punch of the earlier tracks, however what it may lack in power it makes up for in lyrics with lines like: "They go through phases like we go through cocktail glasses." And the chorus eventually burns itself into you "The more they change it/The more I feel the same about it." How many times has that thought made its way through our heads, kicking back just for the sake of it. 'I Need To Know' is tailor-made for singing along to, and by the end of it you'll know that The Black Halos have just kicked your door down.
This band have produced a sound that is a must for lovers of the punk/rock genre. Strike the pose, pick up your air guitar and bounce off the walls. This is an album built for sustained frenzy and put together by a band who can deliver the goods.