Brazenly taking the early 90s grunge formula and adding an abundantly transparent radio friendly sheen, 'Slaves To Gravity' have struck out with their EP release 'Doll Size'. There is nothing gravely wrong with either of the 3 tracks to be found here, the production is crisp and well balanced, the vocals and drums are strong and the guitars have some interesting hooks (especially in the title track) but it all feels so bloodless. It doesn't help matters that there is not one memorable chorus to be found here, the melodies seem like an afterthought and the lyrics recycle tired clichés that just don't ring true.

'Long Way Home' ramps up the tempo a little and as such is the most engaging song here. The group-chant vocals in the chorus and the lack-lustre chorus deride the song of all it's momentum though and by the time it reaches the obligatory guitar solo centric middle 8, it would take a man built of stronger stuff than me to remain interested.

Final track 'No Shame' is effectively Soundgarden's 'Blow Up The Outside World' with a much weaker melody. The chorus here might be the strongest of the trio but it's still not particularly memorable. There is at least some real bile behind the delivery this time but it never really sinks in.

So what do 'Slaves To Gravity' have to offer besides heavy-handed nostalgia and a few decent riffs? Not much really but you could do a lot worse.

Tracklisting:-

1. Doll Size
2. Long Way Home
3. No Shame