Here at RPM Online HQ, we’ve always been fans of Joe Jennings work from way back when we first heard his debut single and reviewed it for our singles club back in the old Uber Rock days and have consumed every single record ever since so when we heard JJ had a new record coming out on the most excellent Rumbar record we were overjoyed to see a meeting of great minds and one of our favourite labels in the US teaming up with one of our favourite rock n rollas. So the real Jerks are on hiatus and JJ was now heading up the MVP’s but still dishing up some awesome Rock n Roll of course we were going to all over it like a rash.

Having recently relocated to Tucson Arizona, Joe teamed up with Matt Rendon of The Resonars/The Freezing Hands/The Lemon Drop Gang fame to write & record 11 brand new tracks. The results are a no-nonsense highly energetic blast of raw yet melodic power-pop-infused garage rock n’ roll. If it’s in your DNA then you’re good to go and don’t mess with what you’re good at. The first time we heard the lead track ‘Doing Time on the Company Dime’ it was burnt onto my brain and from the sleazy melody to that fantastic chorus I couldn’t shake it and found myself singing the chorus for days if not weeks. The rattle of the tambourine and wheeze of the harmonica is a really welcome addition to an already excellent tune.

It races off on ‘Cult Radio’ with a mixture of snot and sweat as the song wrestles with the likes of The Ramones at their best going toe to toe with some old-school garage punkers howling at the moon and giving it all they’ve got. Theres barely time for a gasp of breath before the band are into the next one. ‘Help IS Not On The Way’ has Joe pulling out all the stops as he rinses his guitar of every ounce of Chuck Berry on speed riffs n licks all tied down with a thunderous Bassline and a drum beat that is cool as fuck and surfing off into the sunset looking for some other party to crash and tear up, Super stuff.

‘Good As Gone’ opens with the sound of a guitar racing off like an Ambulance on a hook and melody that is what Joe builds his albums with and it’s all about the groove and melody. If the song is fast or not quite as fast there is always an awesome hook to hang the guitar licks on and that is what makes these songs so damn addictive. You won’t hear any cheesy balladeering or any checking out from Joe and his MVPs’ its honest and wholesome Rock n Roll all the way on this record and it’s that authenticity that draws you into the frey and will have you rooting for these guys to succeed.

By the time you’ve played the whole album, you’ll be wonder where has this band been all your life and when they do take a chill like on the title track Joe whips out his secret weapon and blows that Saxophone and takes it to another level. A superb record by a great songwriter and musician I urge you to give this record some love and the reward will be you’re in the cool kids club and enjoying one of 2024s finest releases. Don’t hesitate to hit the links and get on board. these MVP’s are the dog’s bollocks and this album is an absolute banger. Buy IT!

Sweet Grooves Records – Vinyl Here

RumBar Records CD Here

Author: Dom Daley