It would be easy to dismiss THE JOLTS as Vancouver’s answer to TURBONEGRO. But for rockers that have grown weary of TN's abundant filler and cutesy lyrics of late, THE JOLTS should provide a major kick in the tail. Think about PISSED JEANS' fresh take on the STICKMEN WITH RAYGUNS sound, or JAY REATARD's peachy ADVERTS-worship as similar precedents.

Energy abounds as vocalist Joey Blitzkrieg pontificates sermons of debauchery over this collection of twin-guitar, ass-shaking anthems. The smart execution of power chord mania in “DXM” and “Drop Dead Girl” could get a party started faster than a surprise keg dropped on the front lawn. Throughout the disc, riffs snake into harmonies and wah-wah leads zoom to the front of the mix, eventually falling away into pulsing, groovy basslines. The splendidly titled “Lament for the Death Rider” brags a decidedly HELLACOPTERS-like action rock vibe. But the real secret weapon of THE JOLTS is stickman Matt Von Dander, whose seemingly bottomless bag of tricks provides endless variation to the proceedings in the form of hand claps, maracas, tambourines, and lots of keenly executed fills. If spunk and solid tunes were currency, these guys could buy Las Vegas. Hautely recommended.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/thejolts

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