Singles Club – October

Singles Club – October

Jim Jones All Stars feat Nikki Hill – ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’ (Ako Lite Records) Can I get an Amen brothers and sisters for the time has come to testify that Brother Jim Jones has released the first song from his All Stars line up and its a horn honking piano tonking slice of bloooze from outta the delta that features the enigmatic Nikki Hill which seems like a perfect fit for the All Stars just in case you were gonna ask. What a slice of smoldering rock n roll this is. Brother Jim is howling with the fever and on this one track alone is worthy of being the single of the month for the whole of this spooktacular Rocktober. Check it out Here

The Empty Page – ‘Dry Ice’ (Self Release) The band released a bunch of 7-inch singles in 2019 including the breakout track ‘When The Cloud Explodes’. they found themselves being spun on BBC 6 Music, chosen by Chvrches singer Lauren Mayberry from the BBC Introducing archives for airplay on BBC Radio 1 and stayed near the top of Spotify’s Punk List for months. this is the first dive into what’s to come from the band as Dry Ice is the first single to be released from The Empty Page’s as-yet-untitled (and long-awaited) second album, due in spring 2023. this is a weird mix of cold angular post-punk yet a warmth from Kels vocals the song grows like a shadow as it builds and falls back into the verse with some sweet guitar howls as Giz rinses his instrument of all it can give. The longer the song goes on the more is given up and soundscapes are happening – unfolding. It’s Epic, sweet, alluring, dark, light, things that shouldn’t work but most certainly do. An excellent introduction as to what is coming from The Empty Page – Bring it on! There is a video coming around the time of release in mid-November, so, we’ll be back with more Empty Pages to fill. Socials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Polute – ‘Polute’ (Legless Records) If Lemmy had joined the Stooges then this is what it would have sounded like. Cheap whizz and some horrific homebrew results in this 100% proof fireball of a Rock and Roll record. Relentless and fucked up just the way rock and roll should be.

It even comes in a Sunday piss coloured vinyl. C.O.F.F.I.N, STIFF RICHARDS & CUTTERS combine to kick fuck out of your ear drums. single of the week and the fuckin month – Done! Buy Here

Key of Caustic’s – ‘Pretty Little Suicide’ (Code 213 Records) They’ve been referred to as sounding like Green Day fronted by the singer from Boston which is a stretch for most of us but once you hear em you can see where that comparison comes from I think. anyway hit the video up and decide for yourself.

Forgotten Sons – ‘Flipside’ (Self Release) Pop punk from this Shetland Isle trio in the mold of Gaslight Anthem and Hot Water Music this is a well-produced stab at pop punk or whatever label it goes under these days. It’s a sprightly mid-paced tune that isn’t a bad effort at all. It all sounds like they’ve kept the stabilisers on or just dipped their toes in rather than cutting loose and giving it some oomph. That I’m sure will come further down the line but for a debut its a step in the right direction.

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Billy Idol – ‘The Cage’ EP (Dark Horse Records) To coincide with his return to the UK stages Idol releases this EP and lead track ‘Running From The Ghost’ with its melancholy intro before the guitars crash in and that sneering vocal fires up. Very polished and slick and accompanied by his long time comrade Steve Stevens Idol does what Idol does best. Radio friendly Rock is the name of the game and selling it to the masses is what he does. Listen Here

The Courettes – ‘Bye Bye Mon Amour’ (Damaged Goods Records) What you have here is a French version of the ‘Want You! Like a Cigarette’ which features in its English language version on the B Side. It’s been a fantastic time for this dynamic duo with rave review after rave review for both live and studio performances and it shows no sign of relenting. retro Rock n roll or whatever you fancy calling it. They do it pretty much better than anyone else out there. Flavio had this to say on the single –

“We are big fans of ’60s French pop – Gainsbourg, Sylvie Vartan, Jacques Dutronc, France Gall and many more. We love the versions made in France of the British and American hits back them, like Marie Laforet’s version of Stones’ ‘Paint it Black’ (‘Marie Douceur’) and Petula Clark’s version of The Kinks’ ‘A Well Respected Man’ (‘A Jeune Homme Bien’). So we decided to have our own Frenchy pop hit! Please welcome ‘Bye Bye, mon amour’! Because nous desirons les francophone fans comme a un cigarette! Hope the French, the Canadians, the English, the Danes, the Brazilian, the whole planet, the whole galaxy enjoy it. Turn up your volume and allez-y!” It’s available now on Pink 7″ Website

Saxon – Black Is The Night’ (BMG) What Saxon release a new single and RPM aren’t having it. Biff and the gang are back, firing on all cylinders ahead of their tour to support their recent album. There is nobody more metal than Biff and to hear his pipes billowing out is a warm reassuring thing and he’s still got it.

COCKNEY REJECTS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM ‘POWER GRAB’ TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 28TH VIA CADIZ MUSIC

COCKNEY REJECTS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM ‘POWER GRAB’ TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 28TH VIA CADIZ MUSIC

Power Grab is the ninth studio album from terrace rock legends the Cockney Rejects. Pre Order Here Bosh!

Having created the ‘Street punk’ phenomenon with their EMI released debut album ‘Greatest Hits Volume One’ in 1979 and its eponymous follow up, ‘Greatest Hits Volume Two’ in 1980, the band shifted direction to their preferred hard rock leanings with the Pete Way produced ‘The Wild Ones’ in 1982, to much critical acclaim. After the ‘Lethal’ album in 1990 the band called it a day, exhausted by the ‘Hooligan Rock’ accusations and the lack of live work. In 1999 they enlisted new bass player Tony ‘Van’ Frater and drummer Andrew Laing, and now a touring tour de force they played to ecstatic audiences all over the world and released several albums right until Tony’s untimely death in 2015.

After much soul searching, the band recruited former bass player Vinny Riordan (from the band’s classic first line-up) and powerhouse drummer Joe Perry Sansome (from Reigning Days) and the boys hit the road again, to even more rabid response than before. Then came covid, and like many thousands of bands the world over, they reluctantly had to down tools. Never a band to rest on their laurels, Mick and Jeff began to write, and the band spent long weekends in the studio with producer Kevin Poree creating their finest, and possibly last, studio album, ‘Power Grab.’

And what an album it is. It’s the culmination of 43 years on the road and in the studio (“it’s a microcosm of everything we have learned and loved since 1979,” says guitarist Mick Geggus) resulting in the most cohesive work they have ever done. From their fledgling Punk days to their Rock heyday, it’s all here; the hooks, heartfelt lyrics, searing guitar work and thunderous rhythm section, all in one package. From the gentle, acoustic intro to the blistering Punk snarl of the opener, ‘We were never bothered’ through the mighty title track, to the closer ‘MUG’, there isn’t any filler here- in fact the band jettisoned some six songs to make this collection the most vibrant and vital thing they have ever created.

“It’s 40+ years rolled into one. It’s the culmination of evolution. Everything is on this album” states drummer Joe Sansome.

At the end of 2023 the Cockney Rejects will be retiring from the touring scene. They will leave behind a legacy matched by very few of their contemporaries. Catch them while you still can. And listen to ‘Power Grab’- It’s what Rock ‘N ’Roll SHOULD sound like. The caged beast. And something so alive it hurts. If this indeed is going to be their swansong, they couldn’t go out on a bigger high.

Find the Cockney Rejects Here Bosh!

Skid Row – ‘The Gangs All Here’ (Absolute Records)

Skid Row – ‘The Gangs All Here’ (Absolute Records)

We all know about Skid Row’s past. I’m not going over old roads that’s been run over a million times because there are way too many potholes to avoid. All we need to focus on is the fact that Skid Row have put out their strongest album since the Slave to the Grind days. New vocalist Erik Gronwall has stamped himself all over the album and this means that there is a huge step up in quality. I really can’t emphasise enough how good he is.

This new opus is called The Gang’s All Here and the album cover with the five band members sporting matching stars and stripes leather jackets, shows a united front (well, back actually) and it really feels that Skid Row will at last lose the Sebastian Bach shaped shadow that has loomed over them for so long. The current line up of Dave Sabo, Rachel Bolan, Scotti Hill, Gronwall, and drummer Rob Hammersmith really are a juggernaut of classic metal. The album really gels as a whole and the crystal-clear production from Nick Raskulinecz ensures that the songs leap from the speakers with a newfound energy that the other incarnations of Skid Row have struggled to achieve.

The album opens with Hell or Highwater, it’s a perfect introduction with ex H.E.A.T. man Gronwall spitting out the lyrics and hitting some incredible high notes. The band really seem to have a new lease of life, there are crunchy, heavy riffs everywhere with more hooks than Leatherface’s butchering room. The title track gives a cheeky nod to Tricky Little Vicky who first appeared in the band’s 1989 song Rattlesnake Shake. Not Dead Yet is an up-tempo affair with another ear worm of a chorus, the band sound like they are having the time of their lives here, a real highlight of the album. I can imagine beaming smiles all round during the recording process.

Time Bomb is a down tuned monster with an absolute beast of a riff that Iommi would be proud of. Resurrected sounds like a band that have been just that. They really have been born again with this line up, strong songs, superb performances, and a real throwback to when the band were at their best. Nowhere Fast is another barnstormer with some great guitar work from Sabo and Hill. The album closes with World on Fire which is no doubt a hint to the last few years we have all experienced, as well as the environmental disasters that seem to be more and more frequent.

I really think that this incarnation of the band will be the most successful since the Bach heydays. Miss this album at your peril. The band are touring the UK and Europe from Oct 19th and judging by a few YouTube punters videos that I checked out before sitting down to review this album, they will be a force to be reckoned with live.

Sebastian who?

Buy Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

JIM JONES ALL STARS ANNOUNCE DEBUT SINGLE ‘IT’S YOUR VOODOO WORKING’ AND LIVE DATES INCLUDING SPECIAL HALLOWEEN LONDON GIG

JIM JONES ALL STARS ANNOUNCE DEBUT SINGLE ‘IT’S YOUR VOODOO WORKING’ AND LIVE DATES INCLUDING SPECIAL HALLOWEEN LONDON GIG

The explosive new project from the warped musical mind of rock’n’roll evangelist Jim Jones kicks up several gears!

Following their rapturously received shows across the UK and Europe, Jim Jones All Stars have announced details of their debut single and live dates including a special Halloween hometown gig.

‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’ – originally recorded by Charles Sheffield – is released on 7th October via Ako-Lite Records and will be available via all major download and streaming services. Recorded earlier this year at Memphis Magnetic Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, this thick slice of greasy R’n’B is fuelled by grinding rhythms, rude horns and augmented by guest vocalist Nicki Hill.

Says Jim Jones: “Exciting times! This will be first blood for both Jim Jones All Stars and Ako-Lite Records – and ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’ is the perfect addition to any Halloween playlist.”

To celebrate the release of ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’, Jim Jones All Stars will play a special Halloween show at the Walthamstow Trades Hall in London on Saturday, 29th October. This is the band’s first indoor London headline show since February. With a license extension and after party until 1am, Jim Jones All Stars will be joined by variety of special guests. The full line up will be announced soon.

Speaking of the gig, Jim Jones says: “It feels great to be back on home turf. The last London show sold out well in advance, so this time we’ve got a bigger venue. It’s a Saturday night and with buses and tubes running well after closing, this is going to be one hell of a Halloween!

“This is the one you’ve been waiting for!”

Jim Jones All Stars also play The Golden Lion in Bristol on 14th October.

October dates

14 – Bristol, The Golden Lion

https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the-golden-lion/fri-14-oct-the-jim-jones-all-stars-79872

29 – London, Walthamstow Trades Hall

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jim-jones-all-stars-halloween-special-tickets-427270616917

HOT HOT HEAT ANNOUNCE ‘MAKE UP THE BREAKDOWN’: DELUXE EDITION

HOT HOT HEAT ANNOUNCE ‘MAKE UP THE BREAKDOWN’: DELUXE EDITION

THE NEWLY EXPANDED/REMASTERED 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE BAND’S BELOVED FULL-LENGTH DEBUT

PRE-ORDER HERE: 
https://ffm.to/makeupthebreakdown

Hot Hot Heat’s Make Up The Breakdown: Deluxe Edition is the newly remastered and expanded version of the group’s breakthrough full-length and will be available again on vinyl, just in time for the 20th Anniversary of its release, on Friday, December 2nd, 2022 from Sub Pop.
Make Up The Breakdown was produced by Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Sonic Youth) at Vancouver, BC’s Mushroom Studios with additional engineering and mixing from former Death Cab for Cutie member Chris Walla at The Hall of Justice in Seattle, and released on October 8th, 2002 as a ten-track album.

Brian Tamborello, circa 2012 



For this deluxe edition, Make Up The Breakdown has been expanded to twelve tracks and now includes ‘Apt. 101‘ and ‘Move On‘, two tracks only previously available with a UK-only single for ‘Bandages‘.

Make Up The Breakdown earned praise from the likes of AllMusic, who called the album “an addictive, densely packed pop gem that ranks among 2002’s best albums,” and Pitchfork agreed, including it at no. 20 on “The 50 Best Albums of 2002.” The official videos for ‘Bandages‘ and ‘Talk to Me, Dance With Me‘ saw regular airplay on MTV. Meanwhile the singles saw huge support at Alternative Radio, with both songs going to no. 1 at the KROQ in Los Angeles.

Make Up The Breakdown: Deluxe Edition is available now to preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com, select independent stores in North America, the U.K., and E.U., will receive the limited Loser edition on yellow vinyl.

Therapy? Announce UK Tour Dates

Therapy? Announce UK Tour Dates

Bringing a mix of songs from their back catalogue as well as a few unheard gems from their forthcoming album, Therapy? will be hitting the road this November with stops in Plymouth, Falmouth, Dover, Bournemouth, Guildford, Swansea and Swindon. 


Of the newly announced live run, Therapy? say:
“This tour will be very different to our last few tours, we are playing places and venues that we have not played for a very, very long time or indeed before at all. As well as going back to places ‘from our past’ we will also be going back to songs from our past. We will have a totally different setlist to that we had on the ‘Greatest Hits’ tour. We will be picking songs from our old catalogues as well as a few from our forthcoming new album. It will be loud and noisy, and may well be the last time that we play some of these songs. So come along to hear the old, the new and the noisy… and be aware that these shows will be much more up close and personal!”


Since 1990 and the self-release of their debut single “Meat Abstract”, Therapy? Have lived through the troubles, a peace process, seven record labels, three drummers and a cellist. They’ve witness the widespread use of the mobile phone, a personal computer in every home, the internet, the introduction of WiFi, a single European currency, the rise and fall of baggy, grunge, britpop, nu metal and emo, released fifteen albums and sold in excess of three million records, had hit singles, collaborated with a myriad of artists including Ozzy Osbourne and David Holmes, toured the world many times and played countless live shows.


Amongst all this cacophony they have continued to plough their singular vision with determination and wit, all while making friends in the process. Celebrating their 30th anniversary with the release of ‘Greatest Hits (2020 Versions)’, an album of very special recordings made at the legendary Abbey Road Studios with producer Chris Sheldon (Troublegum, Semi-Detached, Cleave), Therapy? also marked the occasion with a Greatest Hits tour earlier this year. Released via Marshall Records in 2020, the album saw Therapy? Grace the UK Top 40 once more and was accompanied by an official biography of the band written by Simon Young a few months later. 
*****
THERAPY? UK TOUR 2022
10 Nov – Depo, Plymouth

11 Nov – Princess Pavilions, Falmouth

17 Nov – Booking Hall, Dover

18 Nov – Sound Circus, Bournemouth

19 Nov – Casino, Guildford

20 Nov – Sin City, Swansea

03 Dec – Level 3, Swindon

FOR MORE INFORMATION & tickets : Here

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Kid Kapichi – ‘Here’s What You Could Have Won’ (Spinefarm Records)

Kid Kapichi – ‘Here’s What You Could Have Won’ (Spinefarm Records)

A subtle variation on the title of this sophomore release from Hastings four-piece Kid Kapichi (made up of Ben Beetham on guitars, vocals, Eddie Lewis on bass, George Macdonald on drums and Jack Wilson on vocals, guitars) will already be known by some of us of a certain age as the catchphrase from an 80s gameshow called Bullseye. Said gameshow would end with the pair reaching the show’s finale asked if they would like to keep the prizes they had already won or risk it all on a six dart 101 or more shit or bust scenario, for a super, (smashing, great,) star prize that would only be revealed once the outcome of the challenge was known.  As you can probably guess (if you’ve never actually seen the show) said catchphrase was uttered more than it wasn’t and as such it left the failing contestants open to humiliation by TV as they saw their dream of a new car, caravan or new kitchen hauled off in front of their tear-filled eyes. Not unlike maybe, a few of those who voted Tory at the last UK general election must now be feeling.

Yes, I just mentioned politics folks, so if you prefer your music devoid of conscience you best look away now.

I actually first heard Kid Kapichi at the start of 2022 via the single and lead track here ‘New England’, largely because it features a mid-song rap tirade from the highly respected Bob Vylan, and after that opening blow to the senses, I was well and truly hooked and couldn’t wait to hear the full album. Bouncing in like a ‘We Care A Lot’ for the 2020s ‘New England’ is indeed a righteous sound. Punk as fuck yet not in your normally gnarly guitar driven sense. Nah, this bad boy swaggers around full of electro rap attitude and dares to tell those who campaigned for Britain to leave the EU what they have actually achieved. I’ll leave the rest for you to figure out.

After this explosive opener the remaining ten tracks that make up the album could have actually  been something of an anti-climax, but fear not folks, its only when the almost Oasis-like ‘Party At Number 10’ (an acoustic ode to the Partygate farce that basically saw the UK government laughing in the face of the entire country) pops up at track five that you actually get to draw breath, as the likes of ‘I.N.V.U’, ‘5 Days On (2 Days Off), ‘Rob The Supermarket’ and the immense ‘Super Soaker’ are all fist in the air anthems, delivered in vicious bite sized chunks of hook laden electro-beat punk.

‘Cops & Robbers’, which crops up mid album is perhaps my favourite track here, fusing the spirit of Tone Loc with the dancefloor anarchy of The Prodigy, it actually also reminds me of The Howling the band Towers Of London guitarist Rev formed after he left them and then guested on guitar with the twisted firestarters. 

It’s not all-party anthems though as the once again Oasis-like ‘Never Really Had You’ proves and if it were 1997 this track would have been instantly labelled Britpop rather than simply a top tune, and hats exactly what ‘Here’s What You Could Have Won’ is jam packed full of, as the closing one-two suckerpunch of the heavy as hell ‘Smash The Gaff’ and the ballad about working class poverty and its impact on mental health ‘Special’ (a song which has flashes of the 60s psych pop-end of early Blur) prove.

Expertly produced by Dom Craik from Nothing But Thieves ‘Here’s What You Could Have Won’ is indeed the musical equivalent of the 101 in six darts being hit during an episode of Bullseye. A middle finger to the establishment that so wants us all to fail, and a wakeup call for a music scene seemingly devoid of soul.

So, save up all your bus fare home and snap up a copy of ‘Here’s What You Could Have Won’ NOW!

Buy Here

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Author: Johnny Hayward

Tony Wright – ‘The Anti-Album’ (Graphite Records)

Tony Wright – ‘The Anti-Album’ (Graphite Records)

Usually seen bouncing around on stages singing about whales & dolphins and the benefits of tequila, Terrorvision frontman Tony Wright travels a much more melancholy path when it comes to his solo albums. With Terrorvision being a part time concern these days and his printing studio/coffee shop Bloomfield Square in Otley keeping him busy, Tony still finds time to record solos albums and tour acoustically with his faithful sidekick/Terrorvision keyboard player Milly Evans.

Following his 2014 debut solo album ‘Thoughts n’ All’ and the follow up 2016 album ‘Walnut Dash’, Tony releases a third solo album, written during lockdown, entitled ‘The Anti-Album’ that sees the singer take a more honest and darker approach following being locked up with just a guitar, a bunch of songs and nowhere to go.

‘The Anti-Album’ is a lo-fi, stripped back and largely acoustic affair that sees the singer questioning life, love and faith. Musically it sees Tony explore the Country & West Yorkshire vibes that were prevalent on the ‘Grand Ole Otley’ covers album he did with Texan singer/songwriter Ryan Hamilton a few years back.

Over the ten tracks on offer there is a sense of reflective melancholia, more than a few home truths and a need to escape the harsh realities of life. Album opener ‘Sleep’ seems to say it all. With a simple bass drum beat and an acoustic riff that hints at the MASH theme ‘Suicide Is Painless’, all Tony wants is to turn off the lights and sleep all his troubles away.

Next, we have a pair of tracks that exude spaghetti western vibes, aching desolation and soul searching. ‘Nothing To Write Home About’ is a tale of unremarkable small-town existence. Love, heartbreak and divorce is a familiar tale to most, yet here in this context it completely enraptures the listener. The following ‘Get It Wrong’ creates a dramatic and desolate mood with its country twang and heartfelt passionate vocal delivery. It sees the singer questioning his ability to tame that old beast we call love. It builds nicely over a stripped back sound that creates an expansive, almost cinematic vibe. Stunning stuff indeed.

Of the three singles released so far, ‘Dreaming I’m In Love’ is the stand out for me. Tyla-esque heartfelt balladry at its best. With heart on sleeve, Tony delivers a tune that proves one man armed with just an acoustic guitar, 3 chords and a head full of passionate lyrics can be as powerful as a whole orchestra on a big stage. Beautiful and emotive goodness that will bring a tear to the eye.

‘Buried You Deeper’ with its intertwining guitars and harmony vocals is a stand out cut also. While the quirkier ‘Cannonball’ showcases Tony’s honesty and Yorkshire humour, tackling a tale of despondency and despair. “Nothing going for me, shit hair…shit teeth” he sings during a tale of dreaming big dreams.

Tony Wright is an artist who has spent some time soul searching and now seems to have found his identity as a singer/songwriter. ‘The Anti-Album’ is a collection of songs that showcase the wit, sadness and irrefutable charm of this Northern soul. A dark, rootsy record that is a stark and honest look at life and could not be further from the care-free, party tunes that Terrorvision are best known for. Yet it is just as essential as their finest records.

‘The Anti-Album’ is available on vinyl and CD and a 17-date tour to promote the album will wrap up with a hometown show at Nightrain in Bradford on November 6th.

Buy Here

Author: Ben Hughes

2 for Tuesday

2 for Tuesday

Basel’s finest punk-rocker “Bitch Queens” have a brand new song & video out called “Recycled Youth”. 
It’s the first single of the upcoming EP “Party Hard(ly)” which will be out October 28th on vinyl. 


The five new tracks will also be available on a CD Deluxe Edition together with the latest album “Custom Dystopia” which was only released on vinyl so far. 


Go and have a listen to the probably most versatile “Bitch Queens” release ever! Buy Here

Dutch label Music on Vinyl is reissuing The Posies “Frosting on the Beater” October 7. The Omnivore reissues were unfortunately limited by Universal Music to North American distribution only – so if you live in Europe and missed out, this will be in stores this week! 180 gram audiophile double LP. Want to know more? Follow @theposies on Instagram, check their latest post! 

Also, Ken Stringfellow will debut new songs and revisit his work The Posies, including previously unreleased material, in an online show live Sunday October 16, 2022 at noon Seattle/3pm NYC/9pm Amsterdam or streaming for 24 hours if you can’t tune in live. Want to know more? Follow @kenstringfellow on Instagram and check the link in his bio.

Lorne Behrman – ‘A Little Midnight’ (Spaghetty Town Records)

Lorne Behrman – ‘A Little Midnight’ (Spaghetty Town Records)

Take a bite of some dirty and catchy rock n’ roll scrapped off of the streets of the Bowery, images come rushing through of Richard Hell and the Voidoids and a whole assortment of legendry names who paved the way for others to absorb and follow dishing up their own tasty treats.

Songs about life, love, loss booze, women what you’ve had and what you want Lorne Behrman has been there and done that and now he’s released his own record stuffed full of rock n roll. Lets take a trip.

LORNE, previously played in The Dimestore Haloes, L.E.S. Stitches, The Dead Tricks and most recently The Sweet Things, This long player follows LORNE’s acclaimed 2021 four-song EP ‘When I Hit The Floor’,

‘A LITTLE MIDNIGHT’ reaks of Noo Yawk cool from the album’s opener through the cocksure strut of ‘Harlem River Serenade’ with its johnny B Goode licks and Lou style narrated vocals on the verse its a real earworm that has you craving more and more.

The story-like delivery of the lyrics is cool and none more so than ‘I Can Burn You Down’ that draws Soprano-like imagery of Lorne driving by the Hudson with a thumping from the trunk of his Cadillac with some nasty punk rock tunes bursting out of the stereo. The bass rumble laying down the groove on top of the solid drum beat it’s a top tune.

‘Monday Morning’ has a keyboard wheeze as the beat skips on with some excellent power pop storytelling its a burst of carefree rock n roll like a throwback to when Rod the mod was Atlantic Crossing but if Lou Reed was doing the vocals. As we reach the midpoint the mood drops to a crawl as the smokey ‘Well, I Can’t Hold You’ punches through as the backing vocals punch you in the guts on this slow burner – a fantastic change of gears and another side of the same coin is flipped.

As we head into side two ‘A Little Midnight’ has us back on the Rock n roll it’s like a slab of dark pop with a underpayed melody right up to the guitar solo and we drop back into the chorus and everything’s ok its hustling and just getting by with a heap of cool and not a single fuck given.

‘You won’t Live In The Past’ is a ballad that got some excellent arranging from the liquid shape-shifting guitar soloing to the hushed vocals and the cool BV’s taking you away to some dreamy place from the past. The record takes a more laid-back approach for a few tunes taking me back to some Green On Red comparisons especially on ‘Black Cars’ which is an epic smoldering journey that paints some great images with the lyrics that worked really well with the whole feel of the song. The album then closes out on a dreamy laid back ‘Further On Down The Road’ I get the same vibes when I heard Lou Reeds ‘New York’ album a great way to end a really enjoyable walk on the wild side where the soundtrack is provided by Lorne Behrman and his pocketbook of Rock n Roll stories. My advice would be to pick this up and enjoy it because songs of redemption and reclamation might be personal, but the messages in Rock n Roll are for everyone and its a universal language we can all understand and appreciate and this is a fantastic soundtrack to help you further on down that rocky road.

Buy Here or Bandcamp

Author: Dom Daley