Kings of Hong Kong
Sonic Thrills
(Trashwax)
Garage, Rockabilly, Punk, Psycho - all were hurled together in various measures. The admixture is a jolting one. This is the 5th disc executed by these burly skronk mongers, and a mere 300 red-vinyl copies can be got. Coarse, slammingly cacophonous, and seriously life-threatening.
Recommended: "The Driver," "Snake Pit," "Guillotine," "Subterraneans," "Mexicans From Venus," "Haunted Mind," "City of the Strange"
Video: "Mexicans From Venus"
Tom Relling
"Secret" single
(Shaky Records)
The spirit of Marc. B. hovers o'er head, as Pop-Rock confectioner Tom skids in on florescent heels, waxing serenely lyrical while mongering riffs and hooks that earned T. Rex cherished habitat. The spell Mr. Relling casts surely leaves trippers exulting in life itself, and undulating as if ecstatic occupants of Archie's Giant Jukebox.
"Secret" was excerpted from the upcoming "Peace In Love" full-length disc.
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Mr. Black & the 5000 Cadillacs
Britannia Live! 5-track release
(Musakonttori)
A 1956 North Carolina newspaper observed: "Several persons were injured when police fired tear gas to break up a Rock'n'Roll riot here last night. They fired gas grenades into ventilation ducts at the dance hall..."
Now as then, the Rebel Music hath inciteful charms.
From Britannia Live!, table-flipping, widow-smashing celebration erupts full-blast, as rock-ribbed rhythm cats loose hunks of righteous bop. Lessons carved by luminaries are swung with fresh punch. Declamations soar like torpedoes.
It's like 1956 again, but juiced up and on fire.
Recommended: "I'm On Fire," "Mad Men," "Cruise To Tiptonville," "Cadillac Time," "Stutterin' Cindy"
Video: "I'm On Fire" "Mad Men"
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The Psychodelics
Back From the Dead 5-track release
(Self-issued)
Through marble orchard-mists lurch unspeakable wretches whose malicious ambitions are fueled by Psychobilly suasions. Queen Judy sweeps imperiously across withered grasses. At her back are ghouls Erik, DJ, and Eric. And until Sol ascends, the four put up a skewed thundercrack unnerving and trenchant. One is mindful of Dee Dee's pronouncement: "Skeletons dance, I curse this day."
Recommended: "Undead Don't Stop Dancin'," "Monster In the Ground," "Hungry Every Night," "Run and Hyde"
Video: "Undead Don't Stop Dancin'" "Run and Hyde"
Howlin' Ric & the Rocketeers
High Risk, Low Reward
(Sleazy Records)
Even as reviewer pen is put to scroll, Richard Ian Colley and gone collegues are set to tour. They doubtless will leave fracture in their wake; that speculation is occasioned by this, the group's third issuance. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes reveled in exactly this bold R&B expanse. Stark production promotes playing that is at once brisk, blunt, and of formidable capacity. Brass marauders reinforce sweat-flinging assertions, only to sporadically parade sensitive soulfulness. And Ric does indeed howl, recalling storied joint-shouters like Big Joe Turner.
Recommended: "Dancing Fool," "Secrets and Lies," "Kiss Me Sometime," "I Just Can't Sleep," "Diamonds and Pearls," "Standing By," "Great Not To See You," "Danger In the Woods," "One Last Drink"
Videos: "Dancing Fool," "Kiss Me Sometime" "Great Not To See You"
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Apache Crotale
Penalty Life
(Thousands Records)
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Deadbolts are as nothing when Psycho so explosive barrels in; doors splinter, ears are molested, and wracked bodies writhe in paroxysms of gratified violation. It's all in fun, though not the sort indulged in virtuous environs. That makes it worth uplift.
Recommended: "Krazy," "Boogie," "Rock Me," "Get It On," "All Ready For Some R&R," "Crotale Caravan," "You'll Be Mine," "Run Crotale Run"
Video: "Boogie" / "All Ready For Some R&R" / "Get It On" (live)
