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Gold Cash Gold Paradise Pawned: Vol. 1 Times Beach Records Grade: A [Click to enlarge]

There was a time when rock music meant something. The words of Dylan, Tyler, Petty and their contemporaries were the poetry that prior generations could relate to and find solace in. But somewhere along the line the honesty and sincerity that made rock 'n' roll into the most honorable of art forms was lost.

What are we supposed to grow up to? The visionaries that our elders worshiped have no equivalent in our world. We are a lost generation, one without musical heroes, where the soundtracks to our lives are penned by corporations and sold to the one with the prettiest face. Rock 'n' roll isn't about emotions anymore; it is about pop sensibility and clever marketing.

At least, so it would seem. A portal into the glorious past occasionally surfaces in our own era, and one such flash of brilliance comes from Detroit throwback rockers Gold Cash Gold.

Taking their sound from an eclectic mating of AC/DC riffs, bluesy Black Crowes' twangs and a tinge of something their own, Gold Cash Gold's debut, Paradise Pawned: Vol. 1, holds a place all its own in today's music scene. However, vocalist Eric Hoegemeyer, guitarist Steve Zuccaro, bassist Rose Mazzola and drummer Michael Falzon differ greatly from current 'retro-rock' champions like Jet and The Strokes. The reason for this obvious separation from its peers lies in Gold Cash Gold's unpolished style, emotionally poignant lyrics and a level of sincerity that can't be found in the mainstream.

"Vultures," the first single off Paradise Pawned, is built around a crunchy guitar riff that could have easily been devised by Ted Nugent or Angus Young. Written about an unfortunate run-in with Johnny Law, the track is deceivingly catchy in its simplicity.

As a matter of fact, much of Gold Cash Gold's repertoire of songs follow that type of formula; there isn't much complexity on this record, but the ability to make so much out of so little is what makes the band so damn good -- there are no frills, just straight-forward rock 'n' roll for the straight-forward rock 'n' roll fan.

"Diamond Mind" is the opening track on the record, and the one that will bring the most attention to the band. Catchy isn't quite the right word to describe it, but it will lodge itself in your head after the first listen.

"Diamond Mind" definitely sets the pace for the rest of the album, despite it being the only track with any chance of mainstream acceptance. Which isn't a problem at all, because a band like Gold Cash Gold doesn't write music so everyone will like it. They write music for bored kids who are disenchanted with society, unsure of the future and who smoke a lot of weed. Kids after their own heart.

"Hard Times" is a perfect example of what a rock ballad should sound like. With a blues feel and subdued guitar, this ode to depression is the musical incarnation of a smoky bar with beer-soaked wood-plank floors. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the clack of pool balls in the background.

Possibly the best track on Paradise Pawned falls right in the middle of the album; "Damaged" is one for those aforementioned disenchanted youths. "I got fifteen dollars and a pocket of pills / A couple of songs but I can't pay my bills," sings Hoegemeyer in a nasal croon that bears a slight resemblance to Tom Petty.

The song isn't terribly deep musically, but finds success in the evocative lyrics and a solid chorus/bridge partnership.

There may be some hope for us yet. Even though straight-forward gritty rock is a tough sell these days, Gold Cash Gold isn't an ambitious group -- Paradise Pawned isn't progressive and has no plans to push any sort of envelope. Actually, the album is regressive and would likely use the envelope to roll up a J. But there is something comfortable about these lyrics, and in them a little bit more wisdom than expected. The band offers a shameless nod to its predecessors, putting a little bit of soul back into rock 'n' roll. And that is a good thing.

Darrin Crescenzi is the Diversions editor for The Daily Barometer. He can be reached at baro.diversions@studentmedia.orst.edu.

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