Angry Salad

(Blackbird/ Atlantic)
by Scott Hefflon

Building momentum with constant touring of this great nation and consistent adds on Adult Rock radio stations, Angry Salad, a band that’s neither angry nor, um, salady, seems destined to go the distance. Story has it, the band got their ludicrously unforgettable name at a bar in the Caribbean. While arguing names, a gent at the end of the bar shouted they should call themselves Angry Salad. That man was the late, great Freddie Mercury of Queen. Like you’re going to argue?

Originally titled Bizarre Gardening Accident, this self-titled major label debut was touched up by legendary producer Tom Lord-Alge and showcases a contemporary rock band (I’m thinking Hootie and the Counting Crows here) from Brown University by way of Beantown. With lyrics like “Freedom’s just another word for watching TV” (based on the Joplinism “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose” – I hope you didn’t need me to tell you that), more pop culture references than you can shake a really, really big stick at, and a cover of “99 Red Balloons,” you know you’ve got something here.