This section contains reviews of our album, Workin' With Wood, which was sent to the press the first week in February.

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The latest review of the album arrived in the March edition of Uncle Andy's Digest. A big thanks to Razor Ray for reviewing the album and giving it some ink!!

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The first review appeared in the Portland Press Herald on February 19, 2004. The review is below.

EVEN I KNOW HOW TO BANG MY HEAD when the time is right. Such was the case when I put in ''Workin' with Wood,'' the debut release from a local act, Cynical. Hard rock is not my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean I'm not gonna send you to the Alehouse to see this band. It is straightforward, no-foolin'-around, original hard rock and I respect them for that.

Bassist Craig Chaisson and singer/guitarist Andy Sturtevant joined forces in 1998 and Cynical was born in the fall of 2001. They ended up breaking up in 2002. However in the spring of last year Cynical was reborn with the additions of drummer Chris Corbin and guitarist Chris Skehan. This band clearly spends plenty of time rehearsing, as the sound is tight while also raw. OK so the lyrics are a bit simplistic but that doesn't necessarily detract from the music. Sturtevant sings from his gut and the band's energy level and horsepower is the real deal.

I particularly enjoyed the record's fifth track, ''Evermore,'' with the lyrics ''I'll pledge my mind, my heart, body and soul.'' All you need to do though is pledge $3 at the door and you're in.

Cynical, CD release party 9 p.m. tonight, with opener Thought Out Thought, at the Alehouse, 21+, $3.

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Read a review of our 2002 demo, The Sinical Demo, from the online publication, Power Chord Magazine.

And finally, a misguided review from the April '04 edition of the local music magazine, FACE.