Private Prisons Prison Planet LP
I have mixed feelings about Cleveland’s PRIVATE PRISONS and their debut LP Prison Planet, a decent record with some very good songs and also some not very good songs that unfortunately hold it back from being great. Opening with the thrashy “Dead Peasant Policy,” the band showcases solid riffs, vocals, and rhythm section. It’s a promising start that’s derailed as they go on to introduce heavy-handed metallic elements like sluggish, mid-tempo breakdowns and low-register growled vocals, both of which put a damper on things. The overall effect comes off as two competing ideas of what this band could be smashed into one not-so-cohesive record. There are about five songs I’d cherry pick from this LP to make an excellent EP if given the chance.