New Jersey Stage Issue 51 | Page 25

“Questions” is a funny, fascinat- ing look at the dissolution of a relationship from the viewpoint of someone who doesn’t know whether, “Should I leave, should I fight? Do you want to spend the night? And worry you’ll tell his friends?” His mind ends up so twisted that he has more questions than answers. Whereas “Questions” looks at a breakup, “Snake” examines the dissolution of a friendship with a double crosser. It features a strong, searing, soaring solo by lead guitarist Andrew Keris. The standout track is “So Long,” a rousing, rootsy Social Distor- tion-like anthem that is one of the best examples of Doc Rot- ten’s frequent use of the gang vocal, along with the great “Sick and Suffering.” Whereas those new songs on “Illusion to Choose” are dark and at times disturbing, the last of the bunch, “Hold Fast,” is hopeful. The duet between Keris and Bentley is a tale about moving forward at a rapid pace, Listen to “So Long” by Doc Rotten NJ STAGE - ISSUE 51 INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 25