I had always thought of these guys as a punk band. That’s only so true, though. They definitely have an old school punk vibe a lot of the time. But, there is also some space rock and just a lot of good roots rock here. This is quite an entertaining set.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013 Volume 4 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
View from My Cadillac
This hard rocker really makes me think of Hawkwind quite a bit.
2nd Skin
Although there is still some of that Hawkwind vibe here, this is more of a roots rock meets punk sound. The bass line is rubbery and there’s some great guitar soloing on the piece.
Automatic Lover
Take the sounds of the previous tunes and blend in some Clash and you’ll be in the neighborhood of this tune. It’s another energized and angry tune.
Every Dog
Hard rock merged with punk is the order of business here. This is a powerfully hard edged tune that just plain rocks.
Prisoner in the Mirror
Here’s one that’s more just straight ahead hard rock. Somehow there is a little bit of Roy Orbison in the mix here.
Turn up the Heat
More pure punk, there’s still a bit of a space rock vibe to this in some ways. It’s got one of the catchiest vocal hooks of the whole disc.
Rain to Town
Here one that’s more aggressive. The vocal hook on this tune is also quite catchy.
Baby Baby
This number is very much like The Ramones.
Birdland Is Closed Rockabilly and punk combine on this tune.
One More
The riff that opens this feels more like hardcore punk, but the track works out to something closer to the Clash as it continues.
My Stalker
More aggressive and high energy, this is another cool rocker.
Rock n Roll Clown This mellower tune is more melodic. It reminds me a lot of The Kinks.
The Ohio
Aggressive and raw, this is definitely pure punk rock.
Whips and Furs
Not as raw as the previous tune, this doesn’t sacrifice energy. I love the bass line on this and the vocal hooks are cool, too.
Long Beach Police
Somehow this makes me think of the Dead Kennedys just a little.
Voodoo Eye
Blues rock, complete with harmonica, meets punk. This is another killer tune. It’s arguably the strongest thing here, really.