Page 5 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 106

BV106 pg 05.qxp_BV106 pg 05 10/05/2022 19:16 Page 1

BlackVelvetMagazine.Com - 5
YYYYY Excellent YYYY Very Good YYY Good
YY Listenable, Just Y Poor

It’s the first serious song of of their new work, ‘Death guitars, an infectious evokes the Sunset Strip of
the album, which shows Valley Paradise’, was al- rhythm, and even a sym- the 80s, slower paced ‘Last
how the band are not just ways going to be critical, phonic edge with synths in Chance’ is the closest to a
all jokes. Many fans will be but the boys have well and the outro. In amongst the ballad, sort of a plea for for-
able to relate. truly nailed it, as if there appealing faster-paced giveness, but it’s still a
During their live shows was ever any doubt. And tracks like ‘To The River’ huge sound and would be
the band usually have an so, if anyone is looking for and ‘Runaway’ there is the a terrific live anthem. For
interval, and as such, this a British alternative to U.S. gem ‘Stay Awake’. Revert- long-term fans there aren’t
release includes the ‘Bowl- wonders such as Black ing to guitars and vocals going to be any surprises
ing For Soup Pee Break’. Stone Cherry, here they only, it’s a reflective heart- here, but Jizzy Pearl is on
Over some lounge music, a are and it’s no wonder the breaker covering loss and top form, and this is utterly
BOWLING FOR SOUP voice announces ‘Wel- Kentucky aces took these grief, illustrating the emo- magnificent.
POP DRUNK SNOT come to the Bowling For guys on their recent jaunt tional range of the writing. YYYYY
BREAD Soup Pee Break’, and, a lit- around the UK as it must For an anthemic crowd Clare Huckett
(BRANDO) tle later, ‘This Pee Break have been a little like pleaser, there’s the slower
Fun times are here will end soon. Please make spending time with some pace and heavy drum beat
again, and we’re not just sure to wash your hands. brothers from other moth- of ‘Nail In The Cause’. The
talking about concerts and Hygiene is very important ers. ‘Dead Horses’ is the clarity of the mix really
tours happening now that to Bowling For Soup’. Later perfect, attention-grabbing shows here with each in-
Covid is on its way out on, there’s a ‘Public Serv- album starter any record strument layer coming
(slowly). No, a new Bowl- ice Announcement’ which needs, blasting into your through, so the contrasting
ing For Soup album has tells you to ‘be kind’ and earholes with the band’s fast-fingered guitar, pound-
been bestowed upon us. that ‘Bowling For Soup powerful blend of riffs and ing drums and thrumming
And, while we could have loves you’ before ‘Killin’ musicianship, and this bass are perfectly bal-
done with it last year when ‘Em With Kindness’, an- point is hammered home anced as the vocal soars
morale was low and we other fun song which fea- over ‘Long Gone’ and even above and builds to a multi-
were stuck indoors, it’s tures a comical chorus of more so with recent single, voiced crescendo. All in all, JO DOG & PAUL
even more appreciated in ‘killing motherfuckers’ re- ‘My Parade’, a true call to there’s a lot to like here. BLACK’S SONIC BOOM
2022. peated. arms for not only the band, YYYY EVERYBODY RAINS ON
And, like the band’s ‘The Letter 3 (Sitcom but also their fans. Clare Huckett MY PARADE
previous ten studio albums, Song)’ has some wise ‘Death Valley Paradise’ (BLACK CITY)
‘Pop Drunk Snot Bread’ (a words, while ‘After All may not only serve as a The combination of Jo Dog
play on Pop Punk’s Not These Beers’ takes a remi- great weapon to secure the (ex-Dogs D’Amour) and
Dead) is packed with tune- niscing look with Jaret admiration of those who Paul Black (LA Guns) is a
ful hits you’ll be singing singing ‘Here’s to all the have discovered their work promising prospect, and
along to in no time. Jaret stupid things we’ve done as well as satisfying those their Sonic Boom delivers
Reddick and co. bring the and us still being us’. ‘Pop who’ve enjoyed their output exactly what you would ex-
smiles and bounce, the hu- Drunk Snot Bread’ is one of since 2016’s debut ‘Lucky pect - bluesy rock, chock-
mour and the wit, while those releases that you’ll 13’, but will also act in full of appealing rhythms
also adding in some wise have on repeat and feel the years to come as a time and strong vocals. It’s
words, inspiring thoughts urge to get up and dance capsule of recent times. tempting to draw compar-
and relatable scenarios. to; one that will lift you up There is no doubting that isons with the clear influ-
They kick off with and remind you exactly the content of ‘Wake Me JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/ ences, but these guys have
‘Greatest Of All Time’, a why Bowling For Soup are, When It’s Over’ will res- HATE been doing this for their
tongue-in-cheek but honest as they say, the ‘Greatest onate with many, and the HELL, CA. whole careers; this is who
track, which sees frontman Of All Time’... Well, one of likes of ‘Who Needs Ene- (GOLDEN ROBOT) they are. Mid-tempo and
Jaret reveal ‘We only want them. So, cheers to Bowl- mies’ and ‘Cigarettes and Jizzy Pearl knows what uplifting ‘Tree For Shade’
to make you smile, maybe ing For Soup for another Gasoline’ will equally hit his audience wants and ex- kicks off the album proper
sing along and forget about classic album and for them home to listeners and fur- actly how to deliver, so with a catchy refrain and
the bad stuff’. The quartet still being them. ther establish the emo- what we have here is a 10- the first of many sparkling
definitely succeed in that. YYYYY tional link between them track album that is up there guitar solos. ‘Blue Like The
Infectious single ‘I Wanna Shari Black Velvet and the band. Great work with the best of Morning’ is a languid and
Be Brad Pitt’ is an enter- and at the perfect time. Love/Hate’s early material. soulful tale of heartbreak,
taining tune which men- YYYY It’s brash, ballsy, high-oc- while ‘High Price To Lead a
tions some of Brad Pitt’s Michael Coventry tane rock ‘n’ roll, crammed Low Life’ starts out slower-
films (Thelma & Louise, full of heavy guitars, thun- paced with a sleazy feel,
Fight Club, etc), ex’s such COLOURS OF ONE derous drums, and, above then picking up the tempo
as Gwyneth Paltrow, An- VESSELS all, Jizzy’s distinctive voice. with a Spanish guitar
gelina Jolie and Jennifer (COLOURS OF ONE) ‘One Hot Minute’ is the per- rhythm at the breakdown
Aniston and names the South Wales alt-rock fect opener – fast-paced, before ending with a flour-
actor seven times in the quartet Colours of One reckless energy with the ish and an impassioned
slightly repetitive chorus. have been around a while most glorious, wailing gui- vocal. Full-on, funky, blues
This song will definitely and already have a clutch tar solo. ‘Acid Babe’ has a rocker ‘Jesus Drives A
worm its way into your of well-received EPs and seductive groove and Schoolbus’ really lets
head. KRIS BARRAS BAND single releases. This full- Love/Hate’s trademark loose, throwing in a gospel
You don’t expect a DEATH VALLEY PARA- length debut is the culmi- stop-start guitars and vo- choir for good measure.
lively frontman like Jaret to DISE nation of their hard work cals, while ‘Gonna Take Add in dirty blues (‘Dead In
have anxiety, but ‘Hello (MASCOT) and demonstrates both You Higher’ has a The Water’), a Spanish-
Anxiety’ sees him sing Timing is everything in solid writing and strong mu- psychedelic, trippy feel flavoured floor-filler (‘Mi
‘Hello Anxiety, it really life and, for the Kris Barras sicianship. A solo guitar wrapped round the hard Vida Loca’), and a foot-
sucks to see you. Hello, Band, they may have and muffled vocals provide rock core. ‘Soul Mama’ is stomping boogie (‘Sugar
Hello Anxiety, I’ve been ex- struck the perfect time. At a the simple intro of ‘Like stripped down barroom Mama’), and what you’ve
pecting you. I can never point where interest in the Icarus Did’ before the more swagger, the dirty guitars got is a brilliant album.
get through one day with- UK-based four-piece is at energetic ‘Crater’s Lip’ and pure sleaze of ‘When YYYYY
out you hanging around’. an all-time high, the quality kicks into gear with driving You Gonna Come Home’ Clare Huckett
ALBUMS