CD review: "Pressure in the SODO" by Boss Martians

Vegas money says you've probably heard Boss Martians, even if you don't know it. Their song "Don't Wanna See You Again" is set to be on THQ's new racing game, "Project Baja" and "Hey Hey Yeah Yeah" on Don King's Prizefighter. Not a gamer? Well, you may have also heard "Hey Hey Yeah Yeah" on the newest commercial for E-Trade. No? Well, they don't call it gambling for nothing.

If you haven't heard Boss Martians, you should definitely pick up "Pressure in the SODO." It's catchy synth-rock tunes are enough to get your toe tapping, if not get you straight up out of your seat and moving your tush. Each track has a feeling of "hey, I think I know this song, but for the life of me I can't place it." Well, either you've seen one too many E-Trade commercials, or Boss Martians are just that catchy. My vote goes to the latter.

Guitarist/vocalist Evan Foster's voice fits perfectly into these days' dance rock genre, while standing out on his own making Boss Martians easy to pick out of a crowd. But wait, on track two, "Mars is for Martians," that's not Foster singing... that voice sounds familiar. That's because it's the original Stooge himself, IGGY POP. Well hell, if Mr. Mecklenberg endorses Boss Martians, I'm sold.

From the first note of "Power of Doubt" to the very end of "Elsie," this CD is nothing short of catchy, driven rock. Boss Martians' sound is a classic example of fitting perfectly into their genre while standing out on their own. They should be at the forefront of the synth-rock genre, and I predict they soon will be. I found myself comparing them to bands from Cheap Trick ("And She's Gone") to Cobra Starship ("If You Only Knew") to Oingo Boingo ("No One to No One"), with each and every song containing the winning formula of catchy hooks, singable lyrics and a downright fun rhythm.

I think the biggest compliment I can give Boss Martians is that "Pressure in the SODO" is one of very few CDs that my wife and I can listen to together and both enjoy. Well done, boys. Well done.

http://www.bossmartians.com/