03/01/2010: Great album review from goodsound.com!!

The Villains: The Villains
DCM Records 2395
Format: CD

Musical Performance
Sound Quality
Overall Enjoyment

The naughty cover of this self-titled debut album features a red-headed woman in a provocatively brief jester’s outfit, and it might lead you to expect something experimental or raunchy from this Atlanta-based band, but it’s a comfortable, friendly disc that could pass as an Eagles tribute. Artists have been melding country music, rock, and pop since the ‘70s, and The Villains build on that trend in a comfortably eclectic way. Their country side surfaces in "Just Another Saturday Night," while on "Party’s Over" they emerge as a rock band with country influences. Most of the time they steer a middle course as in the catchy opening track, "Let’s Forget About It Tonight," with its appealing guitar licks. Throughout the disc they sound assured, professional, and relaxed. The sound, which is open, warm, and focused, with almost uncanny presence, is better than usual for this kind of disc. For that we can thank producer and band member Dan Call, Atlanta’s Griffin Mastering Studios, and mixers Russ Fowler and Chris Griffin. There’s a thoroughly professional, appealing video of "Let’s Forget About It Tonight" on YouTube, and you can also access it through the band’s website. You’ll find the album cover’s redhead pictured on the drum set. There must be a story there. . . . Rad Bennett