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ALBUM REVIEWS

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THE FARRELL BROS. – Rumble At The Opry
Teenage Rampage Records –

(Worldwide release to be on Raucous Records with new title “Curbstomp Boogie”)

2003

Well what can I say? The Farrell Bros, a rockabilly band from Canada contacted me over Christmas asking if I would be interested in reviewing their album and naturally I jumped at the chance.
I’d previously heard a brief mention of the band through a friend of mine though I hadn’t heard any of their stuff.
It seems I’d been missing out.
This Canadian trio are to be blunt, rather bloody good. As is usual when I get a record I always give it a few plays when I get it – This album has been on at least twice a day since I received it four days ago. And the more I listen to it the more I like it.
For a first album these guys are tight. The sound is defiantly authentic rockabilly. Some people can take this and become pretty mediocre sounding bland and repetitive.
Not the Farrell Brothers. Catchy songs that end up flying round your head all day. Lyrics you can remember and riffs that have you tapping your foot and nodding your head without even realising it. They go from upbeat almost poppy style rockabilly in songs such as “Goodbye Charlie” to downright sleazy bluesy rock n roll in songs such as “Set This Lone Wolf Free” with such ease it’s hard to believe they haven’t been playing for years and years and years.
Most importantly I think is the amount of original songs on here to. Only one cover – Matchbox’s “Rockabilly Rebel” features on the album.
And to be honest I think it’s the albums one minus point.
It could be that it’s because I’m not a Matchbox fan, it could be that that song sounds a bit to different from their own material to really blend in. However it just doesn’t click with the rest of the album. Don’t get me wrong it’s a decent enough cover. But it seems to lack the style these boys have which is a shame. I would really have enjoyed a reworking of this track seeing as, like I say, the band have enough originality with their material to easily bring their personalities into the song.
However don’t let this put you off. The Farrell Brothers are definitely worth checking out. There are 14 tracks on this album and for me to be only disappointed by one is a great achievement for any band. They are technically very impressive and still incredibly fluid.

Stand Out Tracks: Curbstomp Boogie, Set This Lone Wolf Free

Psychomama Rating – 8 ½ Dead Brownie Points.
Contact the Farrell Bros at: thefarrellbros@hotmail.com

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DEADCATS - Bad Pussy

flying saucer records 2002

So when Mick from Flying Saucer records sent me this I was more than a little excited because I've heard good stuff about this band.
And now I can hear why. Theres no doubting this bands influences and its very much your rock n roll/rockabilly scene they draw from.
In some respects they remind me of Nigel Lewis era Meteors. - Not in sound but in attitude. It just has a similar vibe in that it feels throughly refreshing despite its old sound. Prehaps it's just me but I throughly enjoy listening to this cd and its been on heavy rotation in the two weeks I've had it.
Songs like Crypt Zombie Hula make me want to dance on my chair and sing along in a manner that should only be performed behind closed doors and curtains with no one watching and anything that makes me wanna do that can only be a good thing. It's that right amount of sleaze that makes you feel liek you should be just that little more naughty. The Cramps got that magic as does early Rev. Horton Heat.
Theres so many hints to some of my all time fave bands here. I can hear some wonderful elements of the Clash here to. But when I make references to these bands as I say before. Its not so much they sound too similar to them, its that they capture that vibe I look for in a band.
I think what sets them apart from so many other bands I listen to is the distinct lack of Upright bass. And I have to admit though I'm a HUGE fan of the upright this makes such a refreshing change. Musically and technically they keep it real simple in order to capture the most flavour.
And in a lot of cases - Hey this is music to strip kiss and fuck to!
Congratulations Deadcats - you're my band of the week!!

Stand out Tracks: Crypt Zombie Hula, Heading Out On The Road

Psychomamas Rating: 10 dead brownie points

Buy their album from Flying Saucer Records

For more information go to the Deadcats Website

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KLINGONZ - Up Uranus

crazy love records 2003

LONESOME KINGS - Shotgun Full Of Blues

emerald city sounds records. 2003

Well what can I say. I got this album in the mail two days ago and it's been
in my stereo ever since.
It's amazing first and foremost, this album is every reason why I like
psychobilly.
The Bass is fast paced, sped up and played perfectly, Greg Lonesome's vocals
just have that edge. You know the one. The one that defines and takes
direct action. Theres no mistaking what the man has to say and by god its
straight to the point. You are gonna be singing along to this from the first
play.

The first track comes in with some awesome bass work and it has you hooked
immediately. And by god they don't disappoint. "Death Trip" is an amazing track
to open with and it is pretty hard to follow.
But the Lonesome Kings are nothing if not consistent and the tracks that follow keep
the pace going and the album rocking

The lyrics are hard faced exploring murder death and self hatred with such passion
it's as if you wrote them yourself!

All the way through I am amazed and well and truly impressed. This band is tight
The bass and drums compliment each other perfectly, The guitars make you wanna cream.
And as I have said before the vocals are nothing if not excellant.

Lonesome Kings have a great future and they are living proof that psycho isnt dead.
HELL NO.. It's alive and Kicking and its coming for your blonde haired daughter!

Stand out tracks: Just Call Me Master, Born To Be Lonely

Psychomamas rating: 10 dead brownie points

 

Buy the album direct from their website THE LONESOME KINGS

You can also hear MP3's from the new album there to!