Showing posts with label Spaghetty Town. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spaghetty Town. Show all posts

Monday, October 07, 2024

Bambies - Snotty Angels

Alright, kids! Montreal's finest slingers of ultra-energetic poppy punk rock are back at it on the appropriately titled Snotty Angels. Out on Wanda Records and Spaghetty Town Records, this is the sophomore long player from Bambies — a band I find super underrated in the punk rock world. Sami, Franki, and Feli do not mess around on this release. They blast out 15 tracks of blistering, snotty-as-heck punk rock 'n' roll with pop hooks for days. If you're looking for a fun album to get you bopping and hopping, this is it! A punk band's sophomore album can be a tricky endeavor. If you show too much growth, they'll say you lost the plot. If you show no growth, they'll say you just made the same album twice. Bambies have navigated this situation well. Snotty Angels doesn't mess with a winning formula, but nor is it a copy of 2021's Summer Soon. If anything, they've stepped it up with this release. This is a catchier, more diverse set of songs, and the energy level of the music has not dipped even a little. Any fan of old school punk-pop will be well served to pick this record up.

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Friday, September 27, 2024

The Peawees - One Ride

What really needs to be said about La Spezia, Italy's The Peawees? They are the epitome of class and quality in the punk/rock 'n' roll universe. Hervé Peroncini is one of the finest songwriters of his generation. Fast approaching 30 years as a band, The Peawees are aging like fine wine. One Ride, their seventh album, is out now on Wild Honey Records, Spaghetty Town Records, and FOLC Records. How many bands would kill to be able to make just one record this great? The Peawees manage to do it time and time again, and that's something we should never take for granted. The Peawees certainly didn't take it for granted. They started working on One Ride five years ago. And then, of course, the world changed. So did the lives of the band members and eventually the band's lineup. The album got put on hold. Touring got put on hold. Life got put on hold. But the band persevered. Six years after releasing their previous album Moving Target, The Peawees are back with a vengeance. One Ride again finds the band playing the perfect mix of punk rock, garage, soul, and old style rock 'n' roll. This is me listening to a Peawees album: "What a great song! There's no way the next one could be as good!" And then I keep saying the same thing over and over until the album is finished. One Ride is an absolutely bulletproof set of songs. There's not a sub-par track in the bunch, and the band (now with Dario Persi on guitar) sounds fantastic. These songs have energy, guts, timeless style, and hooks all day long. 

A long time ago, The Peawees released an album called This Is Rock'n'Roll. Although the group's progression from those humble beginnings has been extraordinary, that title still captures what The Peawees are all about. From all the best parts of the past 70 years of rock 'n' roll, they create something that sounds fresh and totally their own. One Ride was a long time in the making, but it has proven more than worth the wait. Hands down, it's one of the year's best albums. If you're hunting the colored vinyl, hit the links below for further details!

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Sunday, March 03, 2024

Mala Vista - Fun Time


Hot damn, could this new Mala Vista album be any more up my alley? Fun Time, the New York City band's second long player, is a stone cold ripper of '77-style punk rock 'n' roll. As far back as 2019, I knew Mala Vista had tremendous potential. But five years later, the group has fully come into its own with killer chops, first-rate production, and fucking tremendous songwriting. These guys took all that potential and transformed it into the stuff of true greatness. Lean and mean at just nine tracks, Fun Time is chock full of single-worthy cuts. I appreciate that Mala Vista has the spirit of Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, the Dead Boys, and Ramones without trying to copy those bands. Mala Vista has its own sound, and it's the sound of some of the most inspired punk rock that exists in America or anywhere else. "Juana La Cubana" sounds like the best Clash song in 40 years. If you like your punk music with raw energy, stellar hooks, and attitude for days, Fun Time is a must-buy. This album can absolutely hang with the classic records that inspired it. Spaghetty Town Records is owning 2024 so far! 

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Sunday, February 11, 2024

Lorne Behrman - Blue Love


It's sometimes mind-blowing to me when I realize that Lorne Behrman has been releasing solo music for less than three years. Songs like "Oh Lord, Give Me Time" and "Black Cars" feel like they've been part of my life forever, and hearing Behrman's extraordinary new album Blue Love (out now on the fabulous Spaghetty Town Records) is like catching up with a cherished, ever-dependable friend. While I've been a fan of his musical talents going back to the early days of my music-reviewing life, I count his decision to become a lead artist in his later 40s as a blessing to me and numerous others who've gained so much from his songs. On Blue Love, Behrman returns to his poetic rock style with roots in New York punk, but he builds off of it rather than rehashing it. I always knew he was a great writer — but on this release, he distinguishes himself as a truly great songwriter.  

Blue Love, like its predecessor A Little Midnight, exudes the spirit of New York City. The ghosts of Lou Reed, Jim Carroll, Tom Verlaine, Johnny Thunders, Robert Quine, and Willy DeVille inhabit these songs. Yet even with this influence so palpable, Behrman's sound and style are authentically his. What's particularly noticeable about Blue Love is how deeply melodic these songs are. Sometimes with poetic rock, the music is very minimalist or even secondary to the lyrics and vocals. That's far from the case here. These songs are well-crafted, highly tuneful, and constructed in a way that fully complements Behrman's conversational vocal style. Much credit must be given to Behrman's excellent guitar work and to the formidable talents of his supporting musicians (Matt Dougherty, Ray Mazza, Steve Mosto, Danielle McCullough, and Matt Chiaravalle [who also produces]). Yet there's just no denying the quality of these songs — which are chock full of memorable melodies and indelible hooks. 

Blue Love is loosely a concept record. Says Behrman: This album is about experiencing pain and joy at the same time—like finding new love when everything in your life feels like it's falling apart." Behrman manages to write about love in a way that's neither naïve nor cynical but rather relatable and true to life. In some cases, songs depict relationships which are damaged, turbulent, and perhaps even destined to fail. In others, songs find love turning up in otherwise unfortunate situations for otherwise unfortunate individuals. The theme of the album was at least partially inspired by the absolutely beautiful film The Panic in Needle Park (directed by Jerry Schatzberg, another artist who didn't find his true calling until he was in his 40s). In looking at love through a lens that is both deeply tender and bluntly realistic, Behrman channels the spirit of the movie and reminds us why it's so timeless. "Barbara," which tells a tale of two addicts in love, is the album's most literal homage to the film. "The Bellevue Song" finds its protagonists falling in love in a mental hospital, utilizing a mix of humor and heart that brings to mind my favorite love song ever written, the Parasites' "Crazy." "The Blue Goes On Forever" squeezes a novel's worth of co-dependent, unstable, and utterly doomed romance into just a few lines of verse. "Meet Me on the Moon" finds its ill-fated lovers grasping for one last glimmer of hope. On the album's remarkable finisher "Love in Desperate Times," Behrman opens a window to his soul with a very personal song about the love (between him and his daughter) that got him through a very difficult time in his life. What a beautiful way to tie together the themes of the album! 

Those who enjoyed A Little Midnight are sure to be fans of Blue Love as well. But this album is definitely a progression for Behrman. In terms of songwriting and production, Blue Love is a more ambitious affair that finds Behrman expanding his palette of influences. Certain songs on the album have the spirit, at least, of jazz or soul music. From the doo wop influences of "The Bellevue Song" to the KISS by way of the Dolls vibes of "Ferris Wheels" to the lounge-y smoothness of "Barbara" to the playful twang of "Blue Eyes Gone Green," there are lots of new wrinkles in the mix. Blue Love has the unique distinction of being both punk-inspired and also the perfect album for a chill Sunday morning.  And somehow this record manages to be full of warmth even as it oozes New York cool. The album bio's description of "Bob Dylan as produced by Phil Spector in 1970s CBGBs on a full moon" could not be any more on-point. Chiaravalle does a masterful job of assisting Behrman in realizing his musical vision. 

Considering the body of work Behrman has built in just a few short years, I would most definitely put him in the conversation if we're discussing my favorite present-day songwriters. And yet I wouldn't necessarily say it's a shame that he waited so long to find his calling as a singer & songwriter. All this happened at exactly the right time (and the right time in his life). We're in the midst of Lorne Behrman's moment, and what a privilege it is to receive what he's putting out there. 

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Sunday, September 17, 2023

The Uppers - Manic Melodies


The Uppers, a band I first wrote about three years ago, are back with a sophomore 7" that could not be any more up my alley. Out on Spaghetty Town Records, Boulevard Trash, and Wanda Records, the aptly-named Manic Melodies features four tracks of tuneful power pop meets '77-style punk with a swaggering rock edge. Producer Tuk Smith helps The Uppers attain a more powerful and polished sound, but otherwise little has changed from the band's debut single Get Down With... All four of these tunes are catchy and melody-forward yet still pack a serious punch. One listen to "Stimulation" will give you a jolt equivalent to three cups of coffee. "Madam Please" is sure to be stuck in your head all day and for at least half the next one. And there's no drop-off on Side B. It's certainly a bad pun to say that this band's songwriting has been "upped" for this release, but it's no lie. If the likes of Wyldlife, RMBLR, Biters, and early D Generation float your boat, you will definitely want to snag yourself a copy of Manic Melodies on Coke bottle clear vinyl!

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Friday, September 16, 2022

Lorne Behrman - A Little Midnight


A Little Midnight, the debut full-length album from Lorne Behrman, fulfills the considerable promise of last year's wonderfully surprising EP When I Hit the Floor. After decades as a premiere punk rock guitar slinger, Behrman found himself in uncharted territory as a singer, songwriter, and lead artist. Yet he stepped comfortably and confidently into this new phase of his career, producing a debut EP crafted under the influence of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, and vintage New York City punk rock. A Little Midnight has a similar poetic punk feel but broadens Behrman's musical palette. It is, as he says, the "full span" of who he is as a musician. These are the songs that were always in his heart and mind, now finally captured on record. In spots, he embraces the simplicity and efficiency of punk rock in its purest form. In other spots, he proves himself a formidable and powerful balladeer. And of course he delivers a few tunes that will bring to mind the heyday of Television, Richard Hell, and Jim Carroll. 

Listening to A Little Midnight is a "best of both worlds" type experience: you get tremendous depth and sophistication in the music, yet the songs come and go long before they wear out their welcome (total running time for ten tracks is just 21 minutes). Behrman is the kind of songwriter who's unafraid to cut himself open, and certainly the ten New York City vignettes that comprise this album were largely inspired by his own life. The songs' protagonists face setbacks, heartbreaks, disappointments, and loss. They are haunted by the past and struggle to find their way forward. Yet in the end, hope prevails and better things await. As fellow humans, we can relate to these songs because we have similar stories. I'm not sure what specific qualities a singer/songwriter has to have to make you want to root for them. But whatever they are, Lorne Behrman has got them. And while it goes without saying that the lead guitar work on these tracks is absolutely fantastic, it's a joy to hear the other aspects of Behrman's craft coming into their own. He has taken that half-spoken style of singing and fully made it his own. And in terms of writing songs with strong melodies, he has made a huge leap forward on this album. Just listen to the quintessential New York City rock and roll of "Monday Morning Rain" or the stunning ballad "You Won't Live In This Past" — this is the work of a real songwriter, not just a guitarist writing songs. 

If When I Hit the Floor had you hoping that Lorne Behrman would continue his journey as a solo artist, A Little Midnight will make you glad that he did. It brings you everything from punk rock jolts of energy (the title track and "Love Stumbles By") to soulful Stonesy rockers ("Harlem River Serenade") to Dylan-esque ballads ("Further On Down the Road") to gospelized spoken word exercises ("Well, I Can't Hold You"). Working with drummer Hector Lopez (Alejandro Escovedo/The Sweet Things) and veteran producer Matt Chiaravalle (who also plays bass and keyboards), Behrman has created his magnum opus. It's in spirit a definitive NYC punk rock album, yet it's so much more than that. It's the work of a gifted, immensely human songwriter who wears his love for New York on his sleeve. Buy it now on compact disc from Spaghetty Town Records for just five dollars plus postage!

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Thursday, August 04, 2022

Lorne Behrman - "I Hope The Sun Doesn’t Catch Us"


I've got September 13th circled on my calendar as a great day for music. On that day, Lorne Behrman will release his debut album A Little Midnight on Spaghetty Town Records. A Little Midnight makes my short list of most highly-anticipated albums of 2022. Based on its first two singles, it seems certain this album will live up to expectations and then some. As the esteemed Michael Volgare astutely puts it, every song Behrman releases just gets better and better. 

New single "I Hope The Sun Doesn’t Catch Us" is an absolute stunner featuring some of the most beautiful and flat-out remarkable guitar playing I've heard in quite some time. Musically, this song is an homage to Television -- a band that was a game-changing influence on Behrman as a young musician in the '90s. The track finds him exploring that world that Television first opened up for him: where the spirit of punk rock transcends the limitations of genre and a song is capable of taking the listener on a journey. Much like recent single "A Little Midnight," "I Hope The Sun Doesn't Catch Us" demonstrates that punk rock can be art without being pretentious. The song is as catchy as they come and gets the job done in less than two and a half minutes. Lyrically, it's a powerful reflection on the transience of love. Having pondered that very thing a thousand times, I find myself connecting to this song on a personal level. 

One of the things I admire about Behrman as a songwriter is his willingness to share so much of himself with the world. As I dig into "I Hope The Sun Doesn't Catch Us," I hear a dad cherishing every moment he gets to spend with his daughter. And I hear a man opening himself up to new possibilities no matter how much that might scare him. I love the way this song touches on fears common to all of us yet also radiates genuine optimism. That's real life! Behrman has a gift for taking all this stuff that is so deeply personal to him and making it relatable to everyone. I suppose that's what great songwriters do! Be sure to check out the amazing music video for "I Hope The Sun Doesn’t Catch Us" (beautifully directed by David J Baron). And look for A Little Midnight on compact disc and digital download next month!

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Sunday, June 19, 2022

Lorne Behrman - "A Little Midnight"


Last fall, I had the great pleasure to write about Lorne Behrman's debut solo EP When I Hit The Floor. Building on the momentum of that EP, Behrman will release his debut album A Little Midnight later this year on Spaghetty Town Records. The album will be made up of ten New York City vignettes blending street poetry with Behrman's punk rock roots. Behrman, who was played with the Dimestore Haloes, L.E.S. Stitches, The Dead Tricks, and The Sweet Things over the years, continues to shine as a guitarist while also proving himself to be a songwriter of remarkable talent. Anyone who knows him would not be surprised by his brilliant lyrics, but his emergence as a soulful poet vocalist in the Lou Reed/Bob Dylan mold has been a tremendous inspiration for all of us who aspire to be late bloomers in life. 

In advance of A Little Midnight, Behrman has released the title track as a single and music video. Compared to the heaviness of When I Hit the Floor,  "A Little Midnight" feels a little more upbeat on the surface. Clocking in at just one minute, 47 seconds, this is the most straight-forward punk song Behrman has recorded so far as a solo artist. It's short, punchy, and really fun to sing along with. But upon serious inspection, this song is anything but light. It's about being overwhelmed by problems in life and having to find the strength to pull through. Finding this track to be an ideal tone-setter for the full album, Behrman has chosen to release it a few months in advance. I love the message here: that even if you have struggle and sadness in your life, you can still have hope. The video, directed by David J Baron and featuring How Tragic singer Paige Campbell, was heavily inspired by the Replacements' classic "Bastards of Young" music video. The full album releases September 16 and promises to be something special. In the meantime, "A Little Midnight" is available from Bandcamp and all the major streaming platforms. A little midnight does you right. 

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Saturday, October 16, 2021

Lorne Behrman - When I Hit The Floor

I have been  an admirer of Lorne Behrman's musical talent for 25 years. As a member of the Dimestore Haloes, Dead Tricks, and The Sweet Things, he has made immense contributions to music I've raved about both in print and online. After thirty plus years as a premiere guitar gunslinger, Behrman has finally stepped into the spotlight as a lead singer and songwriter. His first solo EP When I Hit The Floor has just been released on the ever-reliable Spaghetty Town Records. Knowing what an excellent writer Behrman is, I had high hopes for his debut as a lead artist. But I must say that this EP exceeds all expectations. These are truly powerful songs, and I am absolutely blown away by the honesty & fearlessness of Behrman's narrative voice. 

When I Hit The Floor takes you straight into Behrman's soul. It plunges into the dark places he's gone to as well as the light that led him out. He puts it all out it in the open here: his struggles with alcoholism, surviving sexual abuse as a child, and enduring a period of time when he wasn't sure he wanted to go on living. Over the course of this EP, he confronts his pain and ultimately arrives at hope and salvation. As the one-sheet brilliantly states, on the closing track "Oh Lord, Give Me Time", "Lorne gets as close to a come-to-Jesus-moment as a Jewish NYC rock n' roller can." Musically, this EP comes off like a love letter to 1970s New York City. These songs summon the spirits of Lou Reed, Johnny Thunders, Jim Carroll, and Robert Quine (among others). It's poetry meets punk rock with a touch of that '70s Stones sensibility that is permanently embedded in Behrman's musical DNA. From the old school art-punk vibes of the title track to the intensely haunting "Sandcastles" to the anthemic "I Won't Fade Away" to the soulful Dylan-esque ballad "Oh Lord, Give Me Time", this EP shows us sides of Lorne Behrman we've never glimpsed before. Of course his guitar playing is fantastic, but he also proves to be a natural at crafting sophisticated rock and roll songs with many dimensions. While Behrman is responsible for all of the guitars and lead vocals on this release, he did enlist a formidable ensemble of supporting players including veteran producer Matt Chiaravalle, drummer Hector Lopez (Alejandro Escovedo, The Sweet Things), keyboardist Rob Clores (Jesse Malin, Black Crowes, Alejandro Escovedo), and singer Dana Athens (Jane Lee Hooker). The production and musicianship on this release are truly top notch. The care and attention to detail that Behrman put into this EP over the past two years have fully paid off. 

When I Hit The Floor is inspiring on multiple levels. It's one thing to preach about how surviving the dark times can lead you to the light. It's another thing to live it. Behrman has lived it and bravely bared his soul on record. He has accomplished one of the most noble goals of art: taking the pain of human experience and turning it into something that generates hope and makes others feel less alone. And with this stunning debut, Behrman has set a fine example for some of us who've reached a certain age and wrongfully assumed that we've squandered our creative powers. It's never really too late to be a late bloomer. Bouncing back from his rock bottom moment, Lorne Behrman has rediscovered hope and happiness and life and come into his own as a musical artist. I hope I'll be writing about him for another 25 years at least.

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Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Killer Hearts - Skintight Electric


Out on Spaghetty Town and Dragstrip Riot Records and also sponsored by the Rock N Roll Manifesto, Skintight Electric is an absolute ripper of a debut album from Bayou City, Texas based punk rock and rollers Killer Hearts. It has been a couple of years since Killer Hearts exploded onto the scene with their fantastic self-titled debut 7". And while Skintight Electric reprises a couple of tracks from that release, it finds the band going all-out to sound bigger and better than ever. At its core, this is a quintessential high energy glam-punk rock and roll record. But Killer Hearts aren't above layering on a sick amount of bells and whistles (keyboards, handclaps, backing vocals, extra percussion). And it works! Producer Don "Demon Boy" Cilurso (Texas Terri and the Stiff Ones) doesn't hold back on imbuing this album with a pronounced '70s arena rock swagger. Landing on the rock side of the New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders, and Dead Boys, Skintight Electric is an over the top affair in the best way possible. It's loud, wild, and a whole lot of fun. The marriage of sleazy '70s punk and ripping rock and roll is hardly new territory, but Killer Hearts pull off this sound as splendidly as any band has in recent years. Of course these guys have the attitude and the look down pat. More importantly, they've got serious chops and (no pun intended) killer tunes. The Rock N Roll Manifesto version of this release is extremely limited, so move fast if you're interested! 

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Saturday, August 28, 2021

Bambies - Summer Soon


Well, my friends, we’ve got ourselves another serious album of the year contender! I first heard Bambies two years ago when Reta Records released their debut single. I was instantly hooked by the band's catchy, energetic, and rocking sound. This Montreal trio has built on the promise of that first single and delivered a debut album that is a perfect combination of almost everything I like in music. Out on Wanda Records in Europe and Spaghetty Town Records in the U.S.A., Summer Soon ironically arrives just as summer is wrapping up. But worry not: when this record is playing, it's an eternal summer! On this 12-track long player, Bambies blend the furious energy of garage punk rock and roll with the melodies of power pop, the classic stylings of '70s punk, and the spirit of party rock. From start to finish, it's nothing but bangers. No tracks go beyond three minutes, and most clock in at under two-and-a-half. With these songs, there's no waiting around to get to the "good part". The trio keeps it fast and fun all the way through, and you just might wear yourself out tapping your toes and bobbing your head to these hooky, rockin' tunes! I reviewed the advance single "Dirty Taint" a few months back, and that was a nice taste of what to expect from the whole album. Rippers like "Party", "RNR With You", and the electrifying title track are very much in the same vein. I also dig the more power pop leaning "Stuck With You" and the '77-style slammer "Tear Off My Face". 

Summer Soon was recorded in Mexico City by Diego Mier and Carlos Gonzales, and it sounds absolutely amazing. Production-wise, it manages to take a big step forward from the band's earlier recordings without taking any of the edge off of Bambies' sound. It's a perfect record to crank loud whether you're hanging out with friends or just itching to dance around your room all by yourself. There are few bands that would be equally at home on the Spaghetty Town and Wanda rosters, but there's no denying that Bambies fall into that category. In spirit, I'm reminded of a lot of the great Canadian garage meets power pop bands that were tearing shit up when I started this blog a decade ago. The North is bringing the heat again!

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Friday, April 30, 2021

Brad Marino - Looking For Trouble


All year long, I've been counting the days until the release of Brad Marino's second full-length album! The album's first teaser single, "What Do You Know?", was released in January. A second teaser, "Even The Score", came out in March. This all led up to Looking For Trouble being perhaps my most highly anticipated album release of 2021. Well release day has finally arrived, and Looking For Trouble does not disappoint! Out today on CD on Rum Bar Records (with digital and vinyl releases from Spaghetty Town Records, Beluga Records, and Ghost Highway Recordings coming soon), Looking For Trouble is very much up to the tall task of topping Marino's superb debut Extra Credit. 

While Marino did enlist several talented friends (Craig Sala, Bobby Davis, Chris Barnard) to play on this release, he remains a veritable one-man band: playing guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums while producing and mixing the album himself. In classic Marino fashion, this is an album full of simple rock and roll songs with great lyrics and killer hooks. There aren't many people who do it better! What I enjoy about this album in particular is that it features a great variety of songs. No two tracks sound the same. Marino touches on just about every sub-style of rock and roll that he's ever been known for. That includes everything from twangy, Stonesy numbers ("Even the Score") to stripped-down rootsy rockers ("Taillights Fade") to upbeat British Invasion style pop hits ("Take Your Time") to Ramones-inspired earworms ("To Bleed") to top-notch surf rock instrumentals ("Tripwire") to vintage Brad Marino shots of power poppin' garage rock and roll ("Something For Nothing"). "Local Show" -- which will strike a chord with anyone who has ever endured the struggles of trying to make it in a band -- is one of Marino's finest songs to date. Also included are new mixes of a couple of old favorites: "False Alarm" and "At Night". When favorite artists of mine re-record old songs, I almost always find myself preferring the original versions. But I've got to hand it to Marino here: he managed to make both of these songs even better! These tracks bookend the album's outstanding second side. You've got to love a record that finishes just as strong as it starts! 

I love that Looking For Trouble is everything you could want from a Brad Marino album without being a copy of Extra Credit. Marino, who excels at blending no-nonsense rock and roll with catchy pop melodies, is very much in his element on this release. But the album also shows a progression in Marino's artistry. It's cool hearing him experimenting with new instruments (like slide guitar) and widening his stylistic repertoire. He shines not just as a songwriter but also as a singer and musician. And isn't that the whole point of making solo records? Looking For Trouble is so stacked with great tunes that I'm having a hard time choosing a favorite. Whether I'm in the mood for something poppy, punky, or straight-up rocking, this album always hits the spot. If you're looking for a modern-day example of what rock and roll is all about, it doesn't get much better than this.

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Monday, November 23, 2020

Mud City Manglers - Give Me The Hammer


The Mud City Manglers ending up on Spaghetty Town Records has to be one of the most perfect marriages of a band and label ever. You're talking about THE label for dirty punk rock and roll releasing the first album in 20 years from the definitive dirty punk rock and roll band! It's hard to believe that it's been two decades since Pittsburgh's Mud City Manglers unleashed their classic full-length debut Heart Full of Hate. Give Me the Hammer, a split release between Spaghetty Town and European labels Beluga Records and Ghost Highway Recordings, is the long-awaited sophomore release from these legends of grimy and gutsy rock and roll. The good news is that the Mud City Manglers still sound like the Mud City Manglers. They are a veritable sonic bulldozer on this 11-track release - tearing through track after track of ferocious rock and roll that meets at the intersection of Motörhead, AC/DC, and the Dead Boys. On this particular release, the band brings a harder, tighter sound than ever. Fierce, pummeling songs like "Hangover Hurricane", "Bring It Down", and the title track are what all "action rock" should aspire to be. And on the moody slow-burner "Better Off Dead" and blistering heavy rock cover of  Harry Nilsson's "Jump Into The Fire", these guys show creative chops that are seldom encountered in this genre. It may be a tad premature to declare that the Mud City Manglers have delivered another classic. But let's just say that Give Me the Hammer will disappoint absolutely no one.

 

-L.R.

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Monday, December 02, 2019

Sick Bags - Only The Young Die Good

Fresh off a killer debut EP released early this year, Virginia's Sick Bags are back with six more tracks of fierce and filthy punk rock and roll. Again, guitarist Tony Leet (ex Dirty Fingers, Ladies) has penned some raw and rocking punk tunes that ascend to another level on the strength of Mel Medina's bad-ass vocals and Paul Kirk's scorching guitar leads. Only The Young Die Good, poised for a vinyl release in late December/early January, is a potent mix of Stooges/MC5 thunder, early American punk grit, and even a little '80s glam metal sleaze. Sometimes you just need a record like this that kicks you straight in the teeth, and I like how everything builds up to the epic and blazing "Halfway to Hell". There's nothing fancy going on here: just tough, straight-forward punk rock with attitude for days. Already recognized as one of Richmond's must-see live acts, Sick Bags are rising stars of the trashy punk scene. Physical release of Only The Young Die Good coming from two of the best labels out there: No Front Teeth and Spaghetty Town Records!



-L.R.

https://sickbags.bandcamp.com/album/only-the-young-die-good 
https://www.facebook.com/getyoursickout/ 

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Wednesday, August 07, 2019

Jordan Jones - self titled

Sometimes all you need is some really great pop. And if some great pop is what you seek, the debut album from Jordan Jones will send you straight to your happy place. It's actually kind of cool in this day and age of pervasive social media to still find musical artists with some air of mystery to them. I even read the full one-sheet for this record and still know essentially nothing about Jordan Jones. But I think that's the entire point. With a record this great, the music ought to speak for itself. This album had a cassette-only release on Burger Records last year, and now Spaghetty Town and Beluga Records are teaming up to make sure the world hears it.

When I first heard lead single "Rumors Girls" a little while back, I was absolutely floored to come across such a perfect pop song. What an earworm! And what the album makes clear is that that song was no fluke! Jordan Jones proves to be an immensely talented songwriter with a particular fondness for classic power pop and early '70s glam and pop. Song after song is chock full of massive hooks and infectious melodies, and I could easily have been led to believe that this was a collection of forgotten AM radio hits from 1973. The use of keyboards and the generally warm sound give this record a feel that is not often attained by newer power pop groups. I heard lead track "Wrote You A Song For Me" and thought, "Okay, this has to be the hit." But then I heard "Understood", and I honestly couldn't decide which song I liked better! The album continues in that same manner for all of Side 1: a veritable parade of songs that would be all over the radio in a better world (or in another era). Side 2 mixes it up with more ballads, but they're damn good as well! Closing track "Oh My Heavenz" puts the gold in AM gold!

What can I say about an album that appeals to my love for artists ranging from Big Star to T.Rex to the Exploding Hearts to Eric Carmen? Call it power pop, call it pop-rock, call it whatever you like. The debut album from Jordan Jones is brilliant pop music crafted in pursuit of timeless melody. A record any catchier this would probably cause a worldwide health crisis!



-L.R.

https://belugarecords.bandcamp.com/album/jordan-jones-s-t
https://www.instagram.com/jordan_jonezy/
https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/
https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/
https://belugarecords.se/products/jordan-jones-s-t
https://www.facebook.com/punkrecords.se
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Friday, May 24, 2019

The Sweet Things - In Borrowed Shoes, On Borrowed Time

Holy crap! After waiting four years for New York's Sweet Things to put out a full-length debut, I expected a really great album. But I don't know if I was quite anticipating this! Out today on Wendigo Productions NYC and Spaghetty Town Records, In Borrowed Shoes, On Borrowed Time absolutely blew me away upon first contact and has only gotten better with subsequent listens. Ladies and gentlemen, The Sweet Things have made themselves a goddamn masterpiece!

Spiritually, you could say In Borrowed Shoes is The Sweet Things' Exile On Main St. It runs the stylistic gamut from trashy rock n' roll to blues to country to soulful ballads - striking a perfect balance between Saturday night debauchery and Sunday morning regret. The band really pulled out all of the stops to make this a grand-sounding affair. Session players include Rob Clores (Black Crowes, Jesse Malin) on piano and keyboards, members of the Uptown Horns (James Brown, Rolling Stones) on horns and sax, Brian Hurd (Daddy Long Legs) on harmonica, and Liza Colby & Alejandro Escovedo on backing vocals. Yet the heart of this album is an amazing set of songs and tremendous performances by the members of this band (Dave Tierney on vocals and guitar, Lorne Berhman on guitar, Sam Hariss on bass, and Darren Fried on drums). Tierney, in my book, is one of the finest singers in today's rock n' roll. Much of the ragged, boozy spirit of the band's music emanates from his raspy pipes. And at an even deeper level, his vocals are full of heart and soul and a character that I find rare.

Certainly this album raises a bottle to '70s Stones and Johnny Thunders. But The Sweet Things definitely have their own sound which they've been honing for quite a few years now. I love that "Liquor Lightning" comes on like a drunken mess, takes a somewhat bizarre turn, then explodes into a sing-along party for the ages. And that guitar solo: wow! If you like good, straight-forward Stonesy rock n' roll, "Dead Or Worse" and "Almost Faded" will not fail to satisfy. Elsewhere, the band delivers stunning country rock gospel soul on the title track, an absolutely ripping rocker in the wonderfully over-the-top "Coke'n", sloppy Thunders-inspired brilliance in "Fix To Kick", and a true grand finale in the heartfelt ballad "Feed My Dog". The absolute highlight for me, though, is the band's new version of "Through the Cracks of the City". I didn't think there was anything wrong with the old version - until I heard the new one! These guys really worked out how to take a killer song and make it even better. From the vocals to the lead guitar work to the chorus, this song is the essence of sleazy rock n' roll!

Dave Tierney had a very interesting quote when he was asked about the process of making In Borrowed Shoes. "I like listening to music," he said. "But sometimes when I'm listening to an album, I think, 'Wow this is cool, but it'd be even cooler if it was better.' So we decided we would do that, make an album but make it better." That seems like such an obvious approach, but clearly The Sweet Things worked very closely with producer Matt Chiaravalle (Debbie Harry, Warren Zevon) to get everything about this album 100 percent to their satisfaction. And the results are stunning. I can go back to the previous singles and hear a really good band - one with the potential to be great. In Borrowed Shoes, On Borrowed Time, on the other hand, is the work of a truly exceptional rock n' roll band firing on all cylinders. The legacy of great bands from New York City is a rich one, and The Sweet Things have put themselves in that conversation. My friends in the U.K. can catch them on tour in just over a week!



-L.R.

https://www.facebook.com/TheSweetThingsTonk/ 
https://www.wendigoproductions.com/ 
https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/ 
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Thursday, January 31, 2019

Pale Lips - After Dark

Aww yeahh! After Dark release day has arrived! Shouldn't this be an international holiday? I fully expect to see people celebrating in the streets! You know After Dark has been playing on repeat all morning here at Faster and Louder HQ! This sophomore long player from Montreal foursome Pale Lips was without doubt my most highly anticipated album of this year. I know I said almost the exact same thing about the last Pale Lips album. But while I still love Wanna Be Bad, I'm here to tell you that After Dark blows it out of the water! It's definitely the best album I've heard in a couple of years. Out on Alien Snatch (Germany), Spaghetty Town (USA), Gods Candy (Canada), and Waterslide Records (Japan), After Dark doesn't veer far from the Chuck Berry by way of the Ramones blueprint of its predecessor. But while I probably could have identified two or three obvious "hits" on the last album, this one is basically nothing but hits. I have a new favorite track every day! Pale Lips have proven once again that rock n' roll still satisfies in a way that no other style of music possibly can. And you just won't hear music more joyful than this. Put this album on, and you've got yourself an instant party wherever you may be. If you're not dancing and singing along within the first minute, there may be no cure for whatever ails you. And don't bother asking me for tips on how to get these songs out of your head. No such means exist.

After Dark finds Pale Lips doing what may seem impossible: taking the hot sounds of 60 years ago and making them feel fresh and current in 2019. You can hear a song like "Some Sort Of Rock N' Roll" and easily identify the influences. Yet Pale Lips add something to the mix that is uniquely their own. It's not just the bad-ass guitarist and the super-likable singer and the cool, no-nonsense bass player and the unsung, rock-solid drummer. It's the way these four manage to insert their unique personalities into their music. I'm not saying your granddaddy won't like this record; it's just that your ten-year-old niece will like it too. And so will your next door neighbor, so do not hesitate to play it loud in the name of spreading the gospel. While throwaway lyrics are allowable or sometimes preferable in rock n' roll, that's not how Pale Lips operate. This band writes some of the smartest, funniest, and most quotable lyrics you'll ever come across. Lead single "You're A Doll", in addition to being more fun than the law should allow, is a profound statement on gender stereotypes. "Hiding From The Moon" is probably the best song ever written about the drawbacks of dating a werewolf. "All My Baby Brought Back Was The Blues" is the latest in a long line of Pale Lips songs that had me laughing out loud in multiple spots. "I'm A Witch" is a direct response to "The Witch" by The Sonics...a response worthy of a mic drop!

While for the most part sticking to Pale Lips' signature style of upbeat poppy punk rock n' roll, After Dark is not without its surprises (which I suppose I'm about to ruin). You'll hear a few musical instruments outside of just guitar/drums/bass. And a couple of the "riskier" song choices contribute to this being an even better album than Wanna Be Bad. "That Old Ghost Don't Lie" is beautiful and haunting and just a completely stunning pop song. "Cosmic Love", quite literally, takes Pale Lips' sound to outer space. You know that feeling you get when your favorite band releases a new record and it's so totally great that you wanna tell everyone you know about it? That's basically where I'm at right now! Witches, aliens, and ghosts: oh my! I probably won't go out in public and demand that people stop what they're doing so I can play them "I'm A Witch". But if I should witness other individuals doing exactly that, my year will be made.



-L.R.

https://palelips.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/palelips/
https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/product/pale-lips-after-dark-lp 
https://www.godscandyrecords.com/product/pale-lips-after-dark-lp 
http://watersliderecords.net/?pid=138039795
https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/ 
https://www.facebook.com/Gods-Candy-Records-166258483881865/ 
http://www.aliensnatch.de/ 
https://www.facebook.com/ALIEN.SNATCH.RECORDS/ 
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Friday, August 03, 2018

Criminal Kids - Self Titled


Last fall, Criminal Kids were nice enough to make a couple of songs from their then forthcoming debut EP available for free download. Here we are today, and that EP is no longer forthcoming. It's out now on Spaghetty Town Records in the USA and Gods Candy Records in Canada! After hearing the teaser "Outcast", I knew the whole EP was gonna slay! And sure enough, this six-song release is exactly what I expected. Criminal Kids hail from the south side of Chicago, and their music is definitely a reflection of where they come from. They play tough, aggressive music that's equal parts punk and rock. While hardly the first band to mix gritty urban punk with the high-powered rock n' roll of Motorhead and AC/DC, Criminal Kids have taken that style and really given it a kick in the ass. They bring a ton of energy - with guitars ripping, bass punching, and drums slamming. And listen to those vocals, man....that's some first-rate screaming! This is an awesome EP to listen to with headphones on, because it's fun to hear the wild racket that each guitar is kicking up. I can totally picture the band tearing it up on stage! Especially on tracks like "Takin' It Back" and "Vanity", Criminal Kids sound like they've come to punch you in the mouth with their music. They bring great commitment to this genre of music, along with plenty of killer riffs and quality hooks. These guys are definitely throwbacks to the later '90s heyday of punk rock n' roll, but they've managed to add something to it that feels fresh to my ears. Legend has it that Teddy Spaghetty was so blown away by their live show that he immediately signed them to his label. It's not always easy to capture that same kind of energy on a studio recording, but this debut EP sure gives it a good run. My only instructions are to play it loud!



-L.R.

https://criminalkids.bandcamp.com/album/criminal-kids 
https://criminalkids.bandcamp.com/album/criminal-kids 
https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/ 
https://www.facebook.com/Gods-Candy-Records-166258483881865/ 
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Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Ravagers - "Drowning In Blood"

One of my favorite labels going these days is Spaghetty Town Records. I dig the label's unrelenting commitment to trashy rock n' roll, and I'm continually impressed with the talent it manages to recruit. With the likes of The Sweet Things and Dr. Boogie already on board, Spaghetty Town has added the mighty Ravagers to its formidable roster. This band, of course, features Hagen from RMBLR and Gabs from Biters. "Drowning In Blood" is the first we've heard from this Baltimore foursome in three years, and it does not disappoint! The title track puts the ROCK in punk rock. Those guitars are absolutely on fire, and Hagen's vocals are straight-up ferocious. What a ripper! On the flip, "Suzi (Has An Uzi)" is more on the pure punk side with a nasty Dead Boys style edge to it.

In addition to Spaghetty Town, No Front Teeth and Gods Candy Records are also involved with the release of "Drowning In Blood". It's great to finally hear new stuff from Ravagers, and I was stoked to discover that a full album is coming soon. If you like your punk music tough and hard, turn it up and enjoy!


  
-L.R.

https://ravagers.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/ravagersgang/ 
https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/ 
http://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/ 
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Monday, December 11, 2017

Dr. Boogie - "She's So Tuff"

When I reviewed the new Sweet Things single last month, I mentioned that Spaghetty Town Records would be following that release with yet another killer 45. I was talking about a new single from L.A.'s Dr. Boogie - another band that perfectly fits Spaghetty Town's sleazy rock n' roll profile. "She's So Tuff" is the band's second 7" and makes a great addition to a discography that also includes a self-released CD EP and an LP on Dead Beat Records. The A-side is chock full of glam/hard rock swagger and boasts a hook I just can't get out of my head. The tune clocks in at just a hair under four minutes, but don't let the moderate tempo fool you. This one's a rocker! Those guitars are absolutely ripping, and Chris delivers a hard-edged vocal that's perfectly suited to the song. My first impression was that I was reminded of Rose Tattoo. That can only be a good thing! B-side "Peanut Butter Blues" is more in the band's Stones/Dolls inspired signature style, and it will be well known to fans. It was originally released earlier this year as a digital-only single, and now it finally makes it onto record. So this is literally a single with two A-sides!

In recent years, Dr. Boogie has received considerable acclaim as one of the bright new hopes for real deal rock n' roll. I would not argue with any of the rave reviews, and now I gladly enter one of my own. If you're looking for a nice taste of what Dr. Boogie (or Spaghetty Town Records) is about, press that play button and prepare to be rocked!

 
-L.R.

https://www.facebook.com/drboogiemusic/
http://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/product/dr-boogie-she-s-so-tuff-black-vinyl
https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/ 
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