It would appear that the folks at Dead Beat records specialize in creating that forgotten-cold-one-in-the-back-of-the-fridge vibe, musically speaking. For this review, I've decided to ignore the band's actual bio and create my own. Las Vegas' THE BLACK JETTS sound like 3/4 of a pretty standard 60s garage band. I can picture the Vox amps, velvety shirts, and smatterings of SONICS, CHOCOLATE WATCHBAND, and BLACK LIPS vinyl lying about. My theory is that one of their original shirt 'n tie guitar players got hit by a bus or left to find God and was replaced by a leather-clad Camel-smoking Thunders / Cheetah Chrome disciple. He probably smells like old tacos and motor oil and hasn't changed his jeans since Clinton was President. Again, this is all total guesswork based on the sounds. The first couple of tracks stumble a little, the guitar sort of lurking in the background. But by the fourth track, "Cheap Date", everybody comes together in a REPLACEMENTS-style party crasher.

As things continue to lurch forward, the greasy leads and retro melodies come to a marvelous understanding. The result is a smattering of raunchy, guitar-heavy anthems like "Rehab Love" and "Howl", all perfect for blasting in the parking lot of the drive-in burger joint. And the final cover, "Leaving Here" reeks more of Kilminster than Townshend. Fact is, if you like your garagey punk with some gritty charisma, look no further than THE BLACK JETTS.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.theblackjetts.com

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Hangin' Around

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