From Jam Magazine Issue #304, June 29, 2000 |
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"Greed is good. Greed is good. Greed is good." Is the motto inscribed relentlessly inside the cover of the new Greed Engine CD and by golly, they're right! "Pick-Up Line" opens the disc with balanced verses and hooky choruses and is followed by "Lunar Swell" which portrays an upbeat yet melodic tale of the confusions of love. "Blue" is the title track to the disc and is an icy tale of love and hate. "Your love is cruel-your love is blind/ Your love's a three course suicide/ I reach for you/ I reach for you... I reach-my balls are blue/ For you." The bitterness of "Blue" carries over a bit into the next track "Stupidkind" where ignorant people with big egos are criticized and depicted "Like a white trash millionaire/ Just and overpaid whore/ And they're out there/ Immune to the fall." Blue is even and enjoyable without being extremely groundbreaking or innovative. Simply put: Greed is good. | |
From tampabay.citysearch.com Nov. 1, 1999 |
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The ominous motto, "Greed is Good," belies their less-than-cynical style. Not really the epitome of capitalism that the name implies, Greed Engine puts on a fun gig that's marked by tight musicianship and strong vocals. Originally from the flatter plains of Columbus, Ohio, Guitarist Geoff Ford and bassist Johnny Ott recently relocated to Tampa and joined forces with drummer Matt Garden. Their lyrics have been derided as "insipid" and "pedestrian" (the lead singer's euphemism for the aforementioned more offensive term), but can mostly be described as sometimes compelling, intermittently simplistic, and occasionally angst-ridden. Having deemed themselves a "mainstream-alternative, classic future power pop trio" (which is quite a formidable claim), GE can be best classified as anthem rock for twentysomethings. Although the band debuted on the Tampa Bay scene less than a year ago, they've earned an enormous fan base, or else have hordes of friends who overrun their shows in "Greed Engine" t-shirts. Driving guitars, churning rhythms, and flawless harmonies all work together seamlessly in a high-energy live act. |
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From The Tampa Tribune, Oct. 15, 1999 |
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Greed Engine, Blue (149) ** 1/2 |
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From Tampa Bay Groove Magazine, Sept. 1999 |
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Greed Engine 11 Song CD Release Blue If you live in the Tampa Bay area and like to rock, but you havent heard of Greed Engine yet, you need to get out more. If you have heard about them, but havent seen them yet, what are you waiting for? This band is playing all over, you have no excuse! The CD is very well done. The music is straight forward, guitar oriented Rock and Roll, nothing too complicated, and easy for the average guy or gal to tap along to. The lyrics range from the lighthearted to deep thought, yet still maintain a sense of, Hey that could be about me. to them. How do I describe this CD? I would be hesitant to compare this band to any other. Greed Engine is playing modern American Rock and Roll. Its a product they should be proud of. Contact them at www.greedengine.com |
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An excerpt from an article in Weekly Planet Aug. '99 |
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One of the acts to get the
short end of the scheduling stick was fast-rising newcomers Greed Engine.
Though the band has only been playing around town for about seven months,
it has been hitting the clubs hard, making a name for itself with its catchy,
hard-edged pop. Though GE
singer/guitarist Geoff Ford chided me for once calling the bands lyrics
insipid in a Music Menu listing - suggesting that perhaps pedestrian
might be more apt - the fact of the matter is that his songs most often tackle
emotion, which is always a hard fish to fry.
Conversely, the bands music is joyous in its simplicity, and therefore
far more effective. As for the bands
name, the trio is more than happy to sweat a little for a good cause, despite
the money-hungry moniker under which they perform. Were not really
describing ourselves, says Ford of the bands name.
Its more of a statement about the way things are, what drives
things. Greed is the engine that
never runs out of gas. ...we do
like to play for money. But (FACT)
is a good cause, nothing more, nothing less. |
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From tampabay.citysearch.com Aug. 6, 1999 |
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Their ominous motto, "Greed is Good," belies their less-than-cynical style. Not really the epitome of capitalism that their name implies, Greed Engine puts on a fun gig that's marked by tight musicianship and strong vocals. Although they debuted on the Tampa Bay scene less than a year ago, they've garnered themselves an enormous fan base. Is it just me or was every other person at the recent Rockaids Show at Jannus Landing wearing a Greed Engine t-shirt? Either they have a rabidly loyal following, or somehow coerced busloads of friends and family out on a hellishly hot day (which is impressive enough). Having deemed themselves a "mainstream-alternative, classic future power pop trio," (which is quite a prodigious claim), they can be best classified as alterna anthem rock for 20-somethings. Driving guitars, churning rhythms, and flawless harmonies all work together seamlessly in their high-energy live act. Their eleven track CD, "Blue," debuted earlier this summer to positive reviews and is available in many local record shops. Tonight they're appearing with Stone Ginger and Donnie Bennett.—Jen Robbins | |
From Velocity Magazine Aug. '99 |
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GREED
ENGINE The Greed Engine sound consists of a combination of pop hooks, hard driven guitar and bass lines, a rock solid backbeat layered with a nice melodic vocal and the occasional counter melody provided by bassist Johnn Ott. The band itself describes its sound as a mainstream-alternative, classic future power pop sound, which indeed creates a wide spectrum to be delivered by this trio. Although I hear no Ted Nugent, the band does a great job at covering the rest of the spectrum. Great production thanks to Greg Marchek and Audio Lab Studios, with the bands consisting of Ott, Geoff Ford-vocals/guitar and Matt Garden-drums handling the self production. The packaging on the disc could have this disc sitting on the same shelves as the national acts. Remember boys and girls: GREED IS GOOD! The band continues to pack the houses in the Tampa Bay clubs with their evergrowing following and thanks to this release, GE speaking three chords and the truth just could very well be the next big thing out of the Bay area. |
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From FOCUS Magazine June 10-23, 1999 |
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Greed
Engine |
Look for more reviews as they come out!