Rob's Album Of The Week: Torn Shorts' Through The Mill

The arts, music & culture in Providence is experiencing a genuine rock & roll revolution, and has been for the past few years or so. Bands are coming out of the woodwork with spine-tingling guitar solos, pulsating drums and lyrics about life, love, drinkin' and everything in between. Another great example of this phenomenon that's been taking The Creative Capital by storm is Torn Shorts, an amazingly talented rock quartet that has a new album out titled Through The Mill. One of the best kept secrets in the city, their new album is no-holds barred rock & roll that comes straight from the heart.

Consisting of a fantastic rhythm section of Brendan Tompkins on drums and Zach Zarcone on bass along with Nick Molak and Josh Grabert dueling riff after riff on guitar to go with Josh's gutbusting voice, Torn Shorts will blow you away no matter where they play. They've been playing all over the northeast lately and gradually gaining an attentive fan base, receiving mass applause wherever they go. Torn Shorts are one of the premier up and coming acts in Providence and after you listen to Through The Mill, you'll absolutely be checking your calendar to see when you can see these guys rock your local music venue to smithereens.

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Like the many lights flickering in households all over New England this past weekend, here's an introduction to the inevitable. It's the time where I tell you, the faithful & loyal reader, what my favorite tracks off of Through The Mill are. Like I always say, it's never easy but it's a labor of love. Anyways, here goes something:

"Devil" opens with a badass riff that shakes your noggin' up a little bit and then when the whole band joins in it's as powerful as a freight train roaring through your speakers. "Whiskey Song" is about one of my favorite drinks, whiskey & coffee. Josh's story about is something we can all relate to: no matter how much whiskey he puts in his coffee he's cold, lonely and waiting for his girl to come back home. The song also has a scorching solo in it that goes perfectly with the downbeats from the drums I can totally dig. "Life On A River" shows a great contrast between a down and dirty distorted guitar and another guitar unleashing pristine high notes that meld together very well. Now don't just read this and take my word on a select few, every track on the new album from Torn Shorts straight up kicks.

Torn Shorts will be having their official album release show for Through The Mill at Dusk on February 15th with Morris & The East Coast and Route .44. A show that's full of some of the best talent in the Rhode Island area that's will absolutely be the place to be come this Friday. Until the show and/or until Torn Shorts hits up your hometown, grab a copy of Through The Mill and enjoy rock & roll that will save your soul.

- Rob Duguay