''Water Damage' is without even a tiny globule of over-exaggeration, one of the most exciting collections of music that I have heard this year. As a fan of so many expired or soon-to-be extinct metal and rock bands, it is both rare and joyous to find another one that will keep my ear drums smiling (a rare phenomenon, I know) into the future.
Not only is the musicianship of 'Water Damage' of the highest order, but it only takes a few seconds to notice a truly professional production effort has taken place here. Mark Daghorn (One Minute Silence, Orange Goblin) is the man behind the wholesome sound showcased here and it no doubt lifts Desert Monkey onto the pedestal that they completely deserve.

'Known To Be Cynics' is a fiery start-up song that knows exactly what it wants to achieve and does it admirably: it rocks. The band carries the popular American hard rock sound, but turns it up to eleven, with a ballsier sound and blistering guitar performance. They manage to take the essence of what makes the American bands popular but then add their own twist of goodness that leaves them heavier and more importantly – better. Track two, aptly named 'Two' doesn’t let up on this sound for even a second and reassures that the band are also able to find consistency.

The title track again, is full of sumptuous guitar melodies and mixes light and dark neatly throughout the track. Spurgin’s vocals boom confidently over the heavy sound – something that whilst we often take for granted, is often the failing of many an E.P. The delights continue strongly into 'Run Along'– which ends on a brilliant guitar/vocal run – and then into an equally good song; 'Volume Phrasing'.

To conclude, desert Monkey thoroughly deserve all the praise that I can shovel onto them – I couldn’t recommend this recording any more. If this E.P. doesn’t do the trick for the overwhelming majority of hard rock fans then I won’t just be eating my hat – but my head as well.'

Review by Adam Harrold

Rating :: 5/5

(Review from www.gigs-unlimited.co.uk March 2005)