Always a safe bet that you need to check out a release when it carries the Rum Bar Records logo and this album serves as another example of a great release. The Hi-End have released an excellent album based in classic rock n roll values with some cool additives that make this highly recommended. The band themselves feature members from other current Boston bands as well as an old favorite of mine the B-Movie Rats who should be familiar to many of our readers.

The opening guitar on ‘Looking for Some Kicks’ immediately provides an idea of what is to come. The attitude fueled vocals of Johnny Carlevale take us through the verse to serve up a catchy chorus with some tasteful backing vocals. The guitar interplay of Curt Flozcak and Bruno Giordano works perfectly. This is prime rock n roll. ‘Nervous Breakdown’ skates along a catchy guitar riff and provides some female backing vocals to go with the band’s own backing vocals. This is a winning formula all the time in my book. This is classic rock n roll with an emphasis on the roll. The guitar solo pops out of the speakers and brings us back for another run through the huge chorus. The band continue the party on ‘Perfect Company’ which immediately puts a smile on my face each and every time it plays. The band add some hand claps and howling here for this compact rocker.

Anthony Giordano (bass) and Scott Sugarman (drums) work perfectly as a rhythm team on this album with ‘It’s a Long Way Down’ shining a perfect example. The guitars dart in and around the beat with Carlevale laying down another great vocal. The group backing vocals add that little bit extra when they finally arrive. It took me a few listens to suddenly realize that this album will have your body moving without you even being aware of it. ‘Get in Touch’ provides a great mid tempo beat with excellent lead guitar work. The hook is mighty here, and I still find myself on repeated listens finding my favorite song changing as I work my way through the album with whichever one is currently playing taking the lead. The first side of the album ends with ‘Identity Riot’ offering yet another great hook that plants itself in your brain with a very brief breakdown that is probably a lot of fun live as I could see them extend it a bit in that setting before the big scream.

‘Feed My Need’ rumbles out of the gate to start the second half of the album and unleashes a chorus with a catchy groove and vocal hook. One constant that comes to the surface on this album is how awesome it would be to see them live. Sugarman shines on the drums here and gives the song everything it needs. The guitar solo is like the blood red cherry on the top. Next up is ‘One Day at a Time’ which reminds me of an older song in its feel, but I cannot place it. At almost five minutes, this is easily the longest song on the album. The song has a mellower feel with a great chorus. ‘Blood Red Lips’ increases the tempo with a down and dirty beat that again transforms into a great vocal hook. This is an album that oozes heart and soul with each song feeling like an old friend that you have been missing who suddenly arrives.

Starting the final quarter, ‘The Way She Moves Me’ motors along in fine fashion with the guitar work that leads the pre-chorus into the chorus being a highlight for me. This album hits the same sweet spot for me that the full length by the Poison Boys did last year in that it is one great song after another with a foot firmly planted in the spirit of rock n roll. ‘To Be Alive’ adds some piano to the mix with Carlevale laying down a great vocal. The song almost has more of a haunting feel due to the guitar riff running through the song and is another great example of the variety across the album. Album closer ‘A Way of Life’ roars to life feeling like a more restrained ‘Ace of Spades’ and serves as a great lyrical nod to Motorhead. It serves as a nice way to close out the album and get you in the mood to start it all over again.

If you like rock n roll with hooks, heart, soul, charisma, and more, this album comes highly recommended. There is nothing current about it, but there is also nothing that feels dated about it either. This is timeless music that makes us feel better and provides an escape from whatever we are facing. As we reach the midway point of the year, I am quite certain this album ends up being high on my year end list, and I anticipate staying in regular rotation for years to come.

‘Class Kicks’ is available now.

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Author: Gerald Stansbury