Strum Sum Up
Artist: dUg Pinnick
Label: Magna Carta
Length: 14/54:05

Ty Tabor may bring the Beatlesque melodies and the guitar tone to King's X, but dUg Pinnick brings the grit and the heaviness that keeps the band from being one of a thousand light contemporary adult rock bands that are indistinguishable from each other.  On Pinnick's latest solo effort, Strum Sum Up, a host of admirers, friends, and standout musicians join dUg to make this the loosest, most jam-rock oriented disc of any of his side projects.

Co-produced by Wally Farkas (Galactic Cowboys) and comedian/actor/singer Hal Sparks, the album consists of several songs that are followed by impromptu jam sessions.  While some work better than others, it is apparent that dUg and his friends are having a lot of fun here.  Guest appearances by Kellii Scott (Failure, Veruca Salt), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Ray Luzier (Army of Anyone), and David Henning (Big Wreck) don't hurt either.

"Perfect World" sums up our society in three minutes, noting that everyone is hypocritical in some way, and that we need to make allowances for each other's faults, rather than use them to divide and isolate.  "Life Is What You Make It" notes our ability to determine our own course, based on how we respond to daily situations.  "Cross It" looks at the end of life and taking stock.  

The only negative here is that some of Pinnick's lyrics continue to slide into silliness, drug-induced rants, redundancies, and juvenile rhymes.  Most obvious of these are "Dynomite," which repeats its chorus seemingly forever, the rhymes in "Damn It," and the unnecessary spoken part of "Coming Over."  "Angel" is repetitive, but redeems itself with its message.

Strum Sum Up in some ways is like a summary of Pinnick's entire career – certain tracks recall King's X, others Pinnick's first solo moniker, Poundhound, still others recall Supershine.  The disc is easily the best produced of Pinnick's solo/side efforts, and not coincidentally, the best sounding.  It is no coincidence that hosts of veteran rock stars have expressed their wishes to work with Pinnick someday.  This one far surpasses his previous record, Emotional Animal.

Brian A. Smith
26 April 2008