"Breakin’ It Down" by The Midnight Evils from Minneapolis is on Estrus. They had sonic blacksmith, Tim Kerr nail the horseshoes to their frantic, hopped up fracas. Timeless high octane shit-kicking and punching, simple framework, solid deliverin’ rockin’ which will delight fans of The Lazy Cowgirls, Nine Pound Hammer and any of that which fits between those two (bar)stools. “Party, Party, Party” is nothing but a blatant steal of “Someone’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In (Tonight)”. Bravo.
DMBQ’s "The Essential Sounds From The Far East" comes on like Hendrix with jumper cables connected to his entire Experience. There’s a relentless rawk haul going on here that would probably scare the bejeezus out of your conventional metal fan. This Dynamite Masters Blues Quartet deliver a heavy, heavy monster sound. Even at a medium volume, this sucker feels loud. “Mo-Ya, Mo-Ya” sounds like Sabbath only way more visceral. There was an earthquake in Tokyo today, did anybody think to check if these guys were playing last night?
The Meows “At the Top of the Bottom” on No Tomorrow is a soul-kissed rockin’ sensation outta Barcelona and comprising 5 guys that are well versed in what it takes to cut some rug. The most obvious reference could be The Real Kids but there’s an additional dimension to their shindiggin’. If this combo is half as good live as this album suggests then there a lot of bands in a whole heap of trouble. There’s a nice Fleshtonian edge to it too, that super rock swathe that’s not easy to pull off. They’re packing an understated muscle, considering there are 11 original songs here plus covers of Ike Turner’s “This Man’s Crazy” and Sly Stone’s “Don’t Burn Baby” (complete with a raj wee “Pretty Vacant” moment on the close. The Meows are dishing up some incendiary dance music here. It’s a long way down from the dizzy heights this baby’ll take you to.
"Sonic Seducers" by The Intercontinental Playboys is a farfisa-charged palette of Garage flavours with a mix/match ratio that could only be mustered in Australia. There are all kinds of familiar nooks and crannies in their instinctive flair for reinventing that age old recipe. It’s a fun ride. The almost vaudeville aspect of their performance suggests a level of showmanship which could really set these songs off. With the right lighting and the requisite throb, the kids could have their heads turned by something as crafted as this. Their strength is the ability to ham it up without resorting to outright pastiche.
Dollsquad are also from Australia and combine a 70’s powerpop wallop with a penchant for the sixties. Their "Retro Dolls From Hipsville" is somewhat reminiscent of our hallowed Boonaraaas without treading on those ladies Chuck Taylors’. These 4 songs offer respite to anyone with a shine toward the girl group genre in general. Dollsquad swing in a most agreeable fashion and this niftily art-directed CD-EP sets the stage for a full length release, hopefully later in 2005. They should do a short 10” vinyl run of this in the meantime to stoke the fire. Enquire about the Dollsquad action figures while yer at it.
The Diplomats Of Solid Sound are “Ambassadors of Instrumental Soul”.Their “Destination…Get Down” on Estrus is a cool breeze. This Iowa City dwelling, Hammond fuelled delight provide an understated groove that will blow over you like some fine air conditioning. With elements of Booker T and Jimmy McGriff, the Diplomats drag those barbeque jams into fresh territory, blurring the join between when this music was new and making it now. “Loaf and Jug” is not a shopping list, or a London pub but a brand new dance that’s breaking out everywhere these guys play.
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