Who took the fun out of rock 'n roll? I mean, we've got all this evil, death, thrash, nu, hardcore and political shit out there, and everyone seems to have forgotten that this is supposed to be fun. I do like the angry shit, of course. I like to punch inanimate objects and bloody my knuckles for no apparent reason, but I also gotta say that maybe I wanna make like Alfred E. Newman occasionally saying, "What? Me worry?" so I can relax. Sometimes I get bogged down with too much music, consumed by bands that think that they are reinventing the wheel--and believe me they are damned good at it. Then in comes the second full-length from L.A-based Brits ROCKING SCOUNDRELS, and it brought that adolescent shit-eating grin back to my sorry mug.

This is just what the doctor ordered to cure those mid-winter blues. These songs are straightforward, simplistic, and unpretentious. You have gotta have that corner of your CD collection, the one with AC/DC, and THE CULT, maybe a little RAMONES. That is music for (insert mundane life-sucking task here). The ROCKING SCOUNDRELS take retro seriously (or not) and give you slices of neo-classics for maximum boogie. With songs like "Once a Rocker Always a Rocker", and 'Drive-by-Bootie" can you really go wrong? Dave Haynes' Fender lashings along with his crystal-clear dirty vocals (can I say that?) give these anthems the pull-start they need while Darrenthedrummer Edwards and Brian 'Chewy' James each put a foot on yer ass and give a push. Their sound is a clean, classic rock sound like the early STONES. However, all these songs are singers here, and you will find yourself crooning in no time. Imagine the vocals on any PRESIDENTS OF THE U.S.A. records and you've got the right idea. My personal favorite here is "Dead of Night", in which Dave's guitar playing sounds gives hints of NWOBHM. So if you are into stuff like SUPAGROUP, maybe later HELLACOPTERS (i.e. rock with harmonies) grab this new one from THE ROCKING SCOUNDRELS and smile.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.rockingscoundrels.com

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Rock 'n Roll Sleigh Ride

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