Tales from Dirt Town

There have been some dopey metal names throughout the years, but West Virginia's Bobaflex may take the cake. However, on their third release overall (and second for TVT), 2007's Tales from Dirt Town, the lads prove that beyond their silly moniker, Bobaflex should certainly be taken seriously. While they can't say no to a certain fad that has swept the early 21st century metal world (vocalists indulging in screaming), Bobaflex offer an album that features memorable songs — in a "nu metal" sorta way — while also tipping their cap to the genre's granddaddies. Case in point: "Born Again," which features a crunchy riff akin to Judas Priest in their leather-and-studs heyday. And knowing that getting a song on radio/MTV is half the battle toward global domination, Bobaflex are well equipped with a melodic metal ditty or two, including "That Ole Speed" and "Satisfied." But even the more commercial material never loses the group's metallic muscle, resulting in an album that seems perfectly aimed at expanding Bobaflex's audience. A nu metal band that stresses the importance of penning memorable songs? Whodathunkit!