This came out in 2003 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Back in 1999, Verbena put out one of the best albums you never heard — Into the Pink, a wickedly sharp shard of authentic Nirvana-based grunge that never came out north of the border.
Here’s hoping a similar fate doesn’t befall La Musica Negra, the third album from this Alabama power trio. While nowhere near as powerful as Pink, this dozen-track followup is still worthy, offering 40-plus minutes dominated by chugging guitar snarl, walloping midtempo bombast and the sort of raspy misery that could fuel rumours that Kurt faked his death, got plastic surgery, moved to Birmingham and started a new band. And even though it’s obvious singer-guitarist Scott Bondy is doing his level best to edge away from grunge by injecting more southern rock into the mix, the low-end riffage and drawling menace of tunes like Way Out West and It’s Alright, It’s Okay (Jesus Told Me So) positively (or, to be more accurate, negatively) reeks of teen spirit. Bottom line: You could do worse than shell out for La Musica Negra — assuming you can find it.
