TSI Hanging By a Thread
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Hanging By a Thread is the debut album from NYC rockers TSI, which is short for The Situationists International. There probably isn’t much of a real connection between this band and the ‘60s era revolutionary movement, but it does make for a memorable handle, even if they do abbreviate it.
TSI is a rock n’ roll band. It’s hard to attach any kind of qualifier or adjective to them. They’re not a retro act like Dirty Penny or Airbourne (and that’s not a knock against either band, as they both kick ass on a major scale), but have an old school, pre-alternative rock n’ roll sound. They’re the kind of band you’d want playing at the wildest kind of party, preferably at someone else’s house.
Hanging By a Thread brings to mind bands as varied as Motorhead, Motley Crue, the Sex Pistols, Guns n’ Roses and Social Distortion without sounding exactly like any of them. Going from songs like “Make It Mine” and “Hands Off My Rock n’ Roll” to “Jonestown” and “New York Drone” the album is equal parts party rock and punk rock, but it’s a combination that works really well. It’s ballsy, in your face, obnoxious at times, and a hell of a lot of fun. The guitar hooks welcome you to the party and the shout-along vocals help get you loaded while you’re there. The lyrics get damn near nihilistic at times, but it feels authentic and adds to the impact of the music.
Hanging By a Thread is a bloody, sweaty, booze and pill-fueled street brawl of a rock n’ roll album. It’s also a damn sight truer to the wild and dangerous spirit of rock n’ roll than anything Coldplay or Creed is ever going to come up with. Join TSI’s revolution at www.tsiband.com.
Label: Task Force Records
Track Listing:
1. Jonestown
2. Make It Mine
3. Victory or Death
4. Mess
5. Hands Off My Rock n’ Roll
6. Stick It To You
7. New York Drone
8. I’ll Be Here Standing
9. Left Behind
10. Radical
Hardrock Haven Rating: 7/10