Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

At first listen I'd sum 'em up as a thinking man's Hard-Core -- carefully selected exceptions aside. Lyrically we're stuck in second gear with rants about discontent, discord, and insolence -- outside the lyrical lines, "Bathroom Floor" notwithstanding, is where the trip begins.

The embittered trio, recently a foursome, come together live and loud, metamorphosizing Death grunts with smooth verse to make for an uncommon and welcome combination of ferocity and finesse -- Shadows Fall immediately comes to mind here in terms of chugging riffs and shape shifting songs structure.

"Crutch" holds top gains for the eleven cuts, adding shifty, double bass placement to a well-balanced and strong opener -- technically following a forty three second "Intro" of shit washing ashore and heavy static.

Though their conclusive "Two Days" 3-song EP bears little witness of where they're headed but for pure sonic density, they'll give you a dent or two before its through. There's strong base to work with here -- think also of Crowbar -- "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Sometimes," less the Grind-core wallop but similarly ground chordal patterns.

8 Trak Mind can be better by following their own examples early on -- the tunes become a little dry and weighty by mid-point. They need to climb a rung or two on the lyrical looseness that allows inner turmoil to reside uncomfortably around urinary depravity and flighty friendships. Otherwise early indications are they're on the right track as they search for truth and individuality in this unforgiving Rock and Roll rat race.