Worcester Magazine Review of Torqued.  June,  2002.

Gearhead's second release is exceptionally listener-friendly and will appeal to a wide audience range, particuarly fans of modern rock. Filled with Radio-ready tunes like "Last Cool Single Girl" and "Driver", the music would fare well on such radio stations as WBOS and WXLO.  Its sound is vaguely reminiscent of REM and the Smiths and at times is an unlikely mixture of melancholy and inspiration.  The CD flows smoothly from start to finish, incorporating a wide range of musical genres including classic rock, country, swing, and pop, all with a timeless quality.

"Pale Blue Moon" is the gem of the bunch, sounding something like a folky version of The Cramps with a penchant for swing. The first 34 seconds of the CD are also quite lovely - an ethereal, Twin Peaks kind of ride - all wistful and dreamy.

Borrowing a quote from the band's impressively maintained Web site (gearheadfan.com), Gearhead singer and guitarist Matthew Bonazzoli says of it's style, "I'm not ashamed that we're not radical or heavy enough to attract the mainstream club going crowd." He continues, "We are essentially creating music in the classic rock form and that still comes into fashion every now and then."

-Dawn Fenton

 

Review form Boston Rock Feb, 2002

 

Gearhead is back with their second CD entitled Torqued.  Combining the American sentimentality of Springsteen with the emotions and intelligence of Lennon/McCartney, Gearhead’s brand of modern pop/rock is sure to be a hit with teens,  gen x’ers and baby boomers alike.  Torqued comes across as an intelligent and fun tribute to love, American muscle cars and the freedom of the open road.  All but gone is the 1950’s creepy-cool feel of their scattered (though at times excellent) debut album dynaflow and in it’s place is a more updated, polished and aggressive sound.  The CD begins with the title track, which is an acid/surf rock inspired number that sets the tone for the entire CD.  The second song, and my personal favorite is entitled “Last Cool Single Girl”.  Fans of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Crowded House and other AOR/alternative artists will enjoy the smooth organ, soft acoustics and moody vocals of this track.  If this song gets any airplay it’s sure to be a hit.  Other notables on the CD are True, Driver, Pale Blue Moon and Haunted Road.  For the most part Torqued gets a G rating as far as language goes although if one chooses to read into the lyrics there are quite a few hidden sexual innuendos layered throughout and the mood at times can be dark.  The packaging and graphics are excellent and their website is top notch for an unsigned band.   If you like your cocktails classic with a twist of acid and pop, grab your keys and go for a ride with Gearhead. 

 -Tom Anderson

 

Review from top of the pop e-zine Feb, 2002

 

First off I must say that I loved the artwork on this CD.  It reminded me of a car (and an attitude) that I had when I was a lot younger but for some reason it also made me think that this release was going to be heavier rock than it was...must be all of the flames.   That said, this is an excellent sounding and well written set of tunes.  The style is somewhat reminiscent of acid and surf rock from the 60’s with a heavy dose of modern contemporary rock influence mixed in.  I don’t know where they’ll fit in with the local music being what it is nowadays but they might just be able to build a following.  My personal picks are the tracks Last Cool Single Girl that has a George Harison sounding rhythm and an irresistibly catchy chorus and Pale Blue Moon with its swingy Sinatra-esque feel.  All ten tracks are excellent and the album cruises right along.  An excellent sophomore effort from these guys.  Fans of pop/modern rock will find this disc hard to resist.

 

Boston Noise  Feb, 2002

 

What is this Gearhead scene?  From what I can tell their second CD Torqued is about cars and chicks and good old fashioned rock and roll.  Good hooks, strong vocals, lots of guitars and catchy lyrics make this a pleasing package for the hot rodder in all of us.