The Witnesses

Tunnel Vision (Howler)

By Dean Ramos
Published: September 30th, 2004 | 11:51am

As raw and untamed as bands like the White Stripes and the Hives sound, one element that they've always lacked is the sleazy kind of sex appeal that bands like the Stooges and the Rolling Stones once epitomized. It seems as if New York's the Witnesses are here to pick up the slack.

On their full-length debut, Tunnel Vision, the Witnesses unabashedly flaunt their arrogant rock star attitudes to anyone within earshot. In fact, by track two ("I Should Not"), you'll no doubt want to slap singer Oakley Munson for being so cocky, but won't because he's just so good at his craft. Shared vocal duties go to keyboardist Bonnie Bloomgarden, whose soulful and sexy pipes are surprising for someone who's supposedly barely five-feet tall. Bloomington's vocals are used to their utmost on the blues-ier, broodier number "Drop by Drop," a track that should effectively bring any heterosexual male to their knees. As for the rest of the band, drummer Will Scott provides some incredible beats on "Time For You" and completing the sexy sleaziness is Darian Zahedi, whose blues-rock guitars on songs like "Black Eye" and the title track are nothing less than gorgeous.

While it's been said many times throughout the years that rocknroll has finally returned, the Witnesses are here to simply bring back an element that's been sorely missing for quite some time. Tunnel Vision could very well be the first rocknroll album that listeners may need contraception for.