St. Petersburg Times review - JANET K. KEELER


30 ODD FOOT OF GRUNTS, BASTARD LIFE OR CLARITY (ARTEMIS)

It should be no surprise to moviegoers that manly actor Russell Crowe (Gladiator, The Insider) makes music with plenty of raucous testosterone. But the latest effort of his oddly named band, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, is no woman-bashing, Eminem-style rant.

Bastard Life or Clarity is full-on, grownup aching. Call them Aussie folks or the little brothers of Down Under powerhouse Midnight Oil, the Grunts, with gravely voiced frontman Crowe sharing songwriting credits on every track, tackle topics not found much in contemporary music made by guys.

Memorial Day is a tribute to fading soldiers, and lines like "I know that history only exists because of war" have more significance at this time. The Legend of Barry Kable is the story of a young man who loses his battle with drugs, and of his father's dedicated work with street kids.

Then there are the love songs. More than songs, they are confessions about being lousy partners!, making stupid choices and being confused or angry about the ways of women. "I know I've got to get out/Gotta run away/Can't afford the maintenance baby" sings Crowe on Things Have Got to Change. (Could this song be about Proof of Life costar Meg Ryan, whose quick affair with Crowe was reported widely?)

"Now I am legally bound and morally appalled" is a haunting verse in Judas Cart, about a women who casts aside her daughter after keeping her from her father.

Crowe chit-chats before, during and after some of the songs, which
strangely fosters intimacy. There is something so personal about these songs that what would normally be distracting is not. Storytelling is the strong suit here with driving roots rock the backdrop. TOFOG has managed to do something that seems almost impossible these days: make original, meaningful music.