HERMANO

John Garcia and desert rock have become synonymous, the feel and the textures of the recordings on which he plays overflowing with visions of wind swept lands, barren skies, and stifling heat. He will forever be associated with the stoner metal institution that is KYUSS, but HERMANO, though still containing elements of the seminal act, is miles away from his former band. "…Into the Exam Room" is a nice blend of breezy acoustic jams and funky rockers.

The album begins on a high note with "Kentucky", the tune funking and grooving with that all important fuzz tone. "Exam Room" follows suit, an even funkier song with Garcia utilizing his falsetto. The album's other straight ahead rockers include "Left Side Bleeding" with its soulful guitar solo, "Out of Key, But in the Mood" with its stop-start cadence, "Don't Call Your Mama", "Adoption Boy" (more of a straight up stoner rock number with spacey vocals),and the rolling "Hard Working Wall". HERMANO really brings the groove with "Our Desert Home", one that includes some arresting harmony vocals.

The acoustic driven pieces give the album much of its coloration. Songs such as "Dark Horse II" may be on the light side, but do come with a backbone, while "At the Bar" features a strange bit with the voice of children in the background to go with the lazy acoustics and weeping lead work. The tribal drumming on "Bona-Fide" is a nice touch for the psychedelic tune.

It took me a few times to really get into this one, but once I did the rainbow colors were revealed completely. "…Into the Exam" room is not only a nice change of pace from the material I've been checking out lately, but it's also a strong rock album.