No. 3

by Ed RivadaviaIn a career which, at least thus far, has hardly been worthy of great distinction within retro-rock circles, the horrendous, kindergarten-level drawing gracing Firebird's third album -- 2003's imaginatively titled No. 3 -- certainly doesn't bode well for potential improvements. But, surprisingly, improvements are indeed the order of the day for guitarist Bill Steer's post-Carcass enterprise come this lucky album number three. Perhaps it was the arrival of what one hopes will be a permanent rhythm section (bassist Roger Nilsson and drummer George Atlagic stepping in for Leo Smee and Ludwig Witt -- on loan from Cathedral and Spiritual Beggars, respectively); perhaps it was the right time, but, whatever the case, No. 3 boasts numerous tracks ("Cross the Line," "Stoned Believer," "Dream Ride") of comparatively tougher swagger and sharper attack than most anything heard on its ignominious predecessors. More laid-back numbers such "Tumbling Down," "Station" and "Long Gone" offer even wider landscapes for Steer to flex his ever-expanding vocal and guitar-playing range; their occasional piano and organ parts suggesting The Black Crowes' southern-rock-by-way-of-The Faces feel far more than, say, Fu Manchu's groove-intensive stoner metal. Sure, with their abiding sense of lazy, stoned out bliss, these songs may still leave longtime fans of this Napalm Death alum clamoring for a sign -- any clue -- of the smoldering aggression surely bubbling just beneath the surface. But then, aggressive music is probably the least of Steer's concerns at this stage of the game, and who can blame him? The man has spewed enough six-string fury for a few lifetimes! No, these fans will have to content themselves with the energetic wah-wah riff he brings to the Cry of Love-inspired "End of the Day," the impressive range of emotion he coaxes out of the epic "Off the Leash," or the sweetly poignant, slide guitar-laced charm of last cut "Friend." All in all, No. 3 still makes for a far from perfect effort, but considering where Firebird was before, there's finally cause for anticipating album No. 4.