Local Motion: MadMartigan and Tim Charron

Pennies on the eyes of the dead and full-fledged rock and roll for we the living. As I've pointed out on numerous occasions, MadMartigan's one of those outfits that have toiled in the South Florida music scene without committing studio time. Well, now I guess that I have to shut the fuck up since this ten track platter is everything their live engagements over the years have promised.

Quickly compare them to the almighty Dead Boys if you will. Certainly, in attitude and execution, their cover of "What Love Is" was featured recently in these pages as an MP3 review and I was very pleased with their treatment of it. Influence-wise I'm seeing a serious dose of AC/DC, the Hellacopters and Rocket From the Crypt, which is a-okay in my book. Hell, I'd even venture to say that there's a mean 80's Scandinavian hardcore streak tempered by a solid education in garage rock and roll.

The quad's comprised of Michael Vincent on vocals, Red Beardsley on guitar, Dez Carrado on bass and Pooch on drums. They execute their mission well and with gusto. Opener "Move Me" sets the tone for guitar-driven scorchers like "Trade it In," "Come Pet Me," "Jigsaw Love" and the title track. Raucous with a Devil-may-care guideline, let's hope they follow-up this disc with some more material.

Tim Charron spends his time between Tennessee and Miami Beach and if that doesn't lead to a skewered view of the universe, I don't know what will. This ten song disc is an even split between originals and covers and in his choice of covers, Charron betrays his interests and what forms his originals.

Well-versed in the contemporary musical arena, he easily toes the line between roots music fans and the demographics of American Idol, and the latter's a no-brainer since he's toured with Bo Bice and Bucky. Taking the unplugged route in this recording, Charron shines through for what he is, a singin', songwritin', guitar-slingin' kinda guy.

Opening with a cover of Kid Rock's "All Summer Long," he quickly matches wits with his original "Roadside Road." He does a sweet rendition of the Ryan Adams, U2 and Tim McGraw tune "When the Stars Go Blue" that I prefer over the original. He then sets up another juxtaposition of his own with "Back in the Day" before claiming Coldplay's "Yellow" as his own.

He saves the curveball for the last batter with a jovial interpretation of Sublime's "What I Got," which again betrays his makeup and the fact that the fun he had recording these songs was genuine and pure.