A five-song teaser (three of which are exclusive to the EP) for this NYC quintet?s sophomore full length, due in February. Combining anthemic AC/DC megawatt riffage with howling guitarist Oakley Munson?s Steve Marriot-ish Faces squal at the forefront. ?We?re Taking Over? is a fist-pumping statement of purpose, while keyboardist Bonnie Bloomgarden?s duet on the Dolls-y slopfest title track adds another dimension to the typically testosterone-fueled ?guy?s club? that comprises most of the garage-rock revivalists.

Unfortunately, the rest of the vocalists (supposedly all five members contribute throat) fight a neverending (and often losing) battle with keeping in tune. While a sloppy, DIY, garagey aesthetic is the order of the day (think NY Dolls, Faces and a smattering of Stooges), The Witnesses are mostly all dressed down with nowhere to go. Having said that, I did enjoy the sleepy cowpunk of ?Trouble,? which reminded me quite favorably of Anton Newcombe and his latest incarnation of Brian Jonestown Massacre and is worth a few spins before tossing this in the discard pile and hoping the forthcoming album improves matters considerably. 5/10 -- Jeff Penczak (24 October, 2005)