Title: Low-tek - Useless Just Like You...
Label: Lo-Fi Records

Track Listing:
1. Perverted Love
2. It's So Right
3. Breathe
4. Massacre
5. Chemical Imbalance
6. All I Want
7. Venus
8. The World Is Waiting
9. India

You may remember hearing about Monaco from a recent antiMUSIC article mentioning the threats he received online from a high school student. Turns out, Monaco happens to be a very busy man. Not only is he the full-time lead guitarist for the power-pop masters known as Enuff Z'Nuff, he also stays occupied with his own side project and artistic outlet, Low-tek. 

Monaco has already proven his abilites as a great guitarist at Enuff Z'Nuff live shows, but his singing and songwriting ability is showcased for the first time on this disc. The result is a little surprising during the first listen. Monaco relies heavily on machines, incorporating drum loops and distorted vocals on every track.

Although his musical techniques are considerably different from Enuff Z'Nuff, they are also similar in that each band relies on strong vocals and lyrics complimented by catchy harmonies.

It is also evident to me that many Enuff Z'Nuff fans will find a lot to like here on this disc, but as Monaco likes to keep his solo work separated from Enuff Z'Nuff, I shall too. 

Most of these songs sound like they could have been pop/rock hits in the late 60's and 70's, except put to an almost techno beat. The songs vary in mood, but all have high energy and enthusiasm dripping from them. "Perverted Love," "It's So Right," the Sugar Ray-ish "Massacre," and "All I Want" show that Monaco is already surprisingly good at the 3 ½ minute pop song. With a record deal, these are potential hits. He also takes chances, getting increasingly experimental as the album progresses, as in "The World Is Waiting" and "India." Not every track here is a homerun, but there's more than enough on this disc for me to believe Low-tek has a strong future. 

Rating: 4.25 of 5

Visit the multimedia section of Enuff Z'nuff.com for an MP3 

You can order a copy of the CD from Lo-Fi Records by calling 312.458.9794