So what has been? Thirteen years since the last
BARRACUDAS album? Can't be far away at that and in true quality over quantity tradition they'll be back in the racks very soon. Indeed the single
"What You Want Is What You Get" will be out in April. A rip-snortin' taster for a full length return to form that will confound the most ardent cynic. A big part of the elixir coming to life is the appropriation of a couple of Scoundrelles by Messers Gluck and Wills. They needed guys that weren't hacks. People who had the spirit to take their janglefest to a higher plain and Rob and Yan provide that spark. From the opener,
"Poor White Trash" they're outta the traps with gusto. Pure punchin' the air rock'n'roll thrills.
"I Believe In Everything" is the best Steve Earle song that Sir Duke never wrote but might if he got a serious dose of Roky Erickson.
Chris Wilson's involvement is pivotal and makes the album the closest thing to a Sire period Flamin' Groovies that you're ever gonna get. The 'cudas could always belt out a top notch Byrdsian rattle but Wilson's distinct sound adds that final autenthic edge far beyond any mere tribute. The songs are great and the glamtastic
"Don't Ever Say It Can't Be So" is something that I'm sure must have tickled the late, great Greg Shaw. It's like everything Bomp ever stood for rolled up into one big glitter bogey and flicked at radio programmers daring them to have the audacity to help make it the hit it deserves to be. With the Munster single of the cut long gone it's good to have it available again.
To be hit up track after track like this is actually quite moving. Transporting me back to a time when everything was possible, when it seemed like rock'n'roll actually had a chance.
"Not That Kind" continues the anthemic upbeat notion of the sound while exploring the sheer isolation of not figuring into society. That crossroads which provides the anguish on which we seem to thrive whilst wishing we could turn the tables. Sometimes I hear people say that it wouldn't be much fun if we all liked the same things. What utter liberal mealy mouthed bollocks.
This music in my opinion is pretty much as commercial as you can get. It will reduce some of you folks to tears I'm sure and it'll induce that feeling that you've maybe not had too much lately. The one that evokes some kind of faith in what you're listening to. The one that seemed to have got away. However shortlived that instinct is we shouldn't take it for granted. "Take a Walk" sounds like The Fleshtones syphoning The Ramones and I imagine I hear Gordon Spaeth providing his trademark honk to fatten it all up.
"Nothing Ever Happens (in the Suburbs Baby)" would be an ideal stadium singalong where ol' Jezza could offer the mic out to the sea of people and they'd all sing it back.
"Don't Let The Feeling Go" is the final salvo which brings down the pace to an almost hymnal flex. It recalls the days of
"His Last Summer" and cruising in that old Daytona recalling past glories.
"It may be a long time til the next one comes around" goes the lyric. To this very day, the Barracudas wave indeed still soars and hopefully a whole new generation will get with the program. This sequel takes up where they left us all those years ago. Who could reasonably have thunk it...
A wee update here - Mr Wills tells me that the version I have here is unmastered so the real thing is gonna sound even brighter. Also,
"Nothing Ever Happens" is gonna be replaced by a tune called
"Shipwrecked". They have other plans for
"NEH(ITSB)". The band will also be in the studio again this week laying down a versh of the Rok's
"Red Temple Prayer" for the forthcoming Greg Shaw tribute album.
Oh yeah, Jeremy Gluck urges you to check out
SUPERCZAR...
