Putting a picture of a Les Paul Jr and a copy of 'So Alone' (by the master that was Johnny Thunders) on the sleeve of your record is one thing, but you then have some pretty high standards to live up to. 

'Black Sheep Syndrome' gets underway with 'Triple Six Barrel Shot Gun' but it's in a rather subdued fashion, I'm afraid. There are some nice pieces but generally the song is a bit of a drag. Thankfully 'R'n'R Morphine' raises the bar and is a decent song and injects a bit more quality than the album opener with its laid back beat.

Tried and tested isn't a problem, nor is using clichéd or well worn themes, and on the evidence of this album Garbo isn't too bothered either. Whilst the production is good and the playing is decent, as are the arrangements, I can't help but feel the songs all seem to go on for a bit too long and could all do with being trimmed down by at least a minute. 'Tumblin' Down' does definitely raise the bar and four songs in we hit the first "ballad" and with rambling acoustic backed by synth strings. 

There are some good ideas present and some of the arrangements are good but there is something missing and style over substance doesn't quite cut it. 'Obsession' tries its hand at a bit of Alice Cooper and with all the sampled quirks, isn't a bad song at all. 'Fatal Smile' is one of the best songs on here but it's a shame we have to wait until track nine to get to it. Maybe had this been an EP with half the tracks (and a picking of the cream) then I reckon it would have reached out and I'd definitely have found it far more accessible. Leading with the decent 'Let's Pretend We're Dead' would have been a good start, in fact the second half of this album is alright but it's just a shame I had to get through the first half to get there.

In this day and age with so much access to music it's easy to get left behind and sadly Garbo Dastorg did himself no favours, and I so wanted to dig this album knowing he has a Les Paul Jr and a copy of 'So Alone' but, alas, I can't see me reaching for this again in a hurry.

http://www.garbodastorg.com/

To pick up a copy of 'Black Sheep Syndrome' - CLICK HERE