This album is my first time hearing a full album by the band as I have heard some songs here and there over the years. Stylistically, this falls right into my punk n roll wheelhouse and has grown on me a bit with each listen. It has not done enough to consistently keep me coming back to it. Other albums in this style have generally connected with me more than this one, but there are moments here I do enjoy. I don’t think I will be the only one that is a bit hit and miss with this one.

Opener ‘No No No’ has some cool backing vocals and guitar parts through the chorus but otherwise leaves me a little flat. There is a sense of urgency present, but it doesn’t ever really grab me. The guitar solo is cool, but I catch my attention drifting. ‘Love Exorcist’ has a cool riff and groove but suffers as it needs to be up front in the mix for me. Again, the guitar solo hits the spot, and the chorus has a nice shouty hook.

 

‘Diane’ is a surprise cover and perhaps should have been placed later on the album as it distracts from their originals and competes in my brain between the original and Therapy?’s haunting cover from the 90’s. While this is an alright version, I much prefer the two previous versions. It does not help that it comes before ‘Supersonic’ which is a burner with a huge hook and a catchy guitar riff for reinforcement. This is a hit single in some other dimension. This also would have been my first song on the album. Glen Clarke’s vocals perfectly fit the song, and Robin Schafer’s guitar riffs leap out of the speakers. ‘Dance Dance Dance’ continues to hit the mark as a slow build to some amped up rock n roll akin to a train thundering down the tracks with no let up in sight. The addition of Ross the Boss on lead guitar will likely bring the band some added listeners.

 

The band change gears with a slower tempo in ‘Generator.’ I really like that they are mixing things up here, and my feelings on this song have really depended on my mood. I wish there was more to the chorus, or it was used less. Acoustic guitar opens our side one instrumental closer ‘Gismo.’

 

Side two opens with the Supersuckers sounding ‘Drinkin Out Loud.’ I like the song but also realize I would rather just put on a Supersuckers song which is unfortunate. The little breakdown with the crowd noise in the background is a nice touch though. ‘Get Drunk with Me’ follows which in terms of the song titles I find appropriate. Schafer again lays down a nice riff that serves as a hook in itself. The rest of the song though doesn’t really establish its own identity. If I heard this playing in a bar, I would likely tune it out midway through the first verse and randomly come back to it throughout the song. They highlight that intro riff again at the end which does give the song extra life for my ears.

 

The band changes things up again with the more power pop feel of ‘One You Love’ and is another of my favorites from the album. Adding vocals by Lisa Kekaula again provides another shot of something different over the course of the album. I wish there was more power in the mix of the album, and I have a feeling this song will move at a slightly faster tempo live. Ross the Boss makes another appearance on ‘Killslayer Bob’ with a guitar intro that is really cool. The Beach Boys style backing vocals in the chorus are awesome here. It is the songs that I like that make this whole thing frustrating at the moment as I am quite sure there is an album by Black Sheriff that I would absolutely love if the stars aligned.

 

Coming to the end of the album, ‘Happy Camper’ brings in some Johnny Cash at the beginning, but this one just completely loses me. To reference the Supersuckers comparison again, when they go country, it feels very genuine as another side of the band. This just comes across to me as unnecessary filler. ‘Black Angel’ returns to the rocking vibe of the album, and it really suffers because of the previous track. I may isolate this song onto some of my own playlists to let it stand on its own as I like the chorus and the extended part near the end. I just check out after ‘Happy Camper’ when I listen to the whole album.

 

Black Sheriff have created an uneven 5th album for me which frustrates me as I can see them doing a lot of songs I enjoy. This will likely be one where I eliminate some songs from my listening to see if it holds my attention better that way. Songs like ‘Supersonic’ and ‘Killslayer Bob’ will have to be able to serve as the ones to keep me listening. At the end of the day for me right now, I’m just left feeling meh…

‘Time to Burn’ is available now.

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Author: Gerald Stansbury

 

 

 

 

A few years ago Sonny Vincent’s family were the victims of a terrible life-changing accident. Sonny at the time was living in Europe and plying his trade playing Rock and Roll for a living.  The former Testors frontman dropped everything to be by his family’s side and care for his loved ones.

The American health system is what it is meant that Sonny has had to graft and fight for every single bandage and rubber glove since that fateful night.  Unable to do what he does Sonny has been by his family’s side since and through the kindness of others has kept his head above water and there was a compilation album released where the proceeds went to Sonny and his family’s medical costs and now after taking pre-orders it was a no brainer to part with a small donation and get a double CD in return of 32 covers of Testors songs from all over the globe.  Many will be unknown to most some will be known to many so without further delay lets dig in.

Now out of the 32 tracks on offer the only gripe I have which is a minor gripe but did half a dozen bands have to record ‘Bad Attitude’ and another few recorded ‘Zooed Out’ or ‘Together’.  Picky I know but maybe it might have been better for them to toss in an original song influenced by Testors I dunno, oh stop moaning I know I know.

First up on disc one is The Enders ripping through ‘Madras Prison’ and it sort of sets the tone for what’s to come and that’s a full force compilation album of dedicated punk rock and rollas doing what they do best and helping a brother when he needs a hand. Take a deep breath because this is a rocket-fuelled ride – hold on to your undercrackers because Baby Shitters own ‘Tracy McPrichtease’ and the solo rips and I’m sure when Sonny heard this he raised an eyebrow at least.

I actually own the Black Cat Rebellion album so I’m aware of these guys and their contribution is quality and sleazy. Another I’m up to speed with is Zodiac Panthers and their take is caustic and fired up and ‘Primitive’.  I ain’t ever heard of the Electric Tool City Boys but they blast through ‘Bad Attitude’ and give it some of their own attitude as they take it, strip it back and kick it around for a while before  doing it all again faster and harder this is turning out to be one hell of a compilation album with bands I’ve never heard of really impressing me.  I’ll be honest there isn’t a bad track on offer here and the bands chosen deserve so much credit as does whoever put this together because I bow down to their superior knowledge of underground punk n roll n trash rock n roll because there are so many awesome bands on this CD its insane.

It’s not really until the tenth track when Frank Makak kicks back and plays ‘Rainy Night’ at less than full tilt and I needed the breather and when it’s as good as this I just smile. things do pick up again mind as you’d expect.  the first disc is brought to a close with Les Lullies knocking out a rampant ‘Bad Attitude’ aaaaand breath, hell, go for a lie-down CD two is coming up.

Not a name I was expecting to see on this punk tribute was that of Scandinavian Black Metal legends Darkthrone but fuck me sideways ‘Bad Attitude’ is apt and theirs is a punk as fuck version even if its not that much of a stretch from Black Metal to punk  its great to hear them pay their dues and do it so well.  you also have Simon Chainsaw rockin’ up with his offering of ‘You Don’t Break My Heart’. After Flesh Rag tip up with the third interpretation of ‘Bad Attitude’ as well as it’s delivered maybe there should have been a limit to what you could record.

A band several of us rave over is Londons Los Pepes who offer up ‘Together’ in their own style and with their harmonies its the obvious choice and exceptionally delivered. Clockwork Boys from Lisboa deliver ‘Morte’ (Its Only Death) and jolly good it is too (as you’d expect).

You do get four versions back to back of ‘Together’ with the Psychotic Turnbuckles delivering a live version that sounds like an old school bootleg played in a bucket of water but hey it’s punk rock yeah? Hell yeah! and to be fair it’s a world away from Lester Greenowski’s take on the same track all smokey and late-night an excellent take on a classic. But wait Billy The Kidd has done the last version and its a sparse piano ballad, not something I saw coming thats for sure so lumping these same songs together is fine as the interpretations are magnificent making this one hell of a tribute album leaing just Cheap Damage to play ‘Scary’ with strings n all making it very seductive indeed. Closing off the whole shebang is The DC Spectres with ‘Sonny Vincent Knows’ and what a splendid way to end this CD.  Some garage punk played by people who give a shit and care about their brothers and sisters on the other side of the pond.

Big Hearted bands help because they care about Sonny and his family now dig deep people and share the love and in return, you’ll get your hands on a mighty fine compilation CD with some great playing of some great Testors tunes.  Now don’t hang about get on it! Now!!!

 

Author: Dom Daley

Order now!!- TESTORS ‘COVERS’ Double CD Benefit ALBUM !!
$15 USA
$22 Europe
includes shipping!
https://paypal.me/sonnyvincent?locale.x=en_US

or go to directly to Sonnys PayPal address and send as gift for family/friend.
His PayPal is-

sonnyvincentpersonalmail@gmail.com
(Include your mailing address in the PayPal note!)

You can also contact him on facebook about sending a check and other ways to order this Album!!