{"id":12252,"date":"2020-06-11T05:00:18","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T05:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rpmonline.co.uk\/?p=12252"},"modified":"2020-06-07T12:07:18","modified_gmt":"2020-06-07T12:07:18","slug":"lucy-the-rats-got-lucky-stardumb-records-surfin-ki-lp-and-dirty-water-records-cd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rpmonline.co.uk\/?p=12252","title":{"rendered":"Lucy & The Rats \u2013 \u2018Got Lucky\u2019 (Stardumb Records & Surfin’ Ki (LP) and Dirty Water Records (CD)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Singer\/songwriter Lucy Ellis, formerly of Aussie punk legends The Spazzys, relocated to London in 2015 and put together The Rats with Johnny Throttle guitarist Joe Tolosa, Animal Cannibal bassist Mike Cannibal and Three Tumbitas drummer Manu. And if the collection of band names mentioned in the previous sentence doesn\u2019t whet your appetite, you should leave the building right now!<\/p>\n

Following their 2018 self-titled debut album, Lucy & The Rats return with their sophomore record \u2018Got Lucky\u2019. An album that promises 12 tracks of delightful power pop, transporting you back to the golden age of Phil Spector girl groups as much as the sweat and grime of CBGB\u2019S or The Marquee.<\/p>\n

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The word \u2018Punk\u2019 is flung about nonchalantly by reviewers to describe any band that has aggression and 3 chord distorted guitars to their sound. I put my hand up for being guilty for it too, but I wouldn\u2019t use it to describe this London based four piece. As with the likes of RPM faves The Speedways and The Role Models, their sound is rooted firmly in a late 70\u2019s\/early 80\u2019s new wave\/power pop place, where clean, ringing guitars, sweet vocals and instant hooks reside. You see, there\u2019s a heart-warming familiarity to their sound that stays with you long after the record has stopped spinning.<\/p>\n

If you dig the debut, then you\u2019ll love this album too, as its business as usual for this 4 piece. Opener \u2018September\u2019 builds on a sweet vocal over jangly guitars, which lead to a lush, harmony-filled chorus elevating the song to another level. 60\u2019s inspired \u201cwoah-woah\u201d backing vocals give a high energy, euphoric feel that will have you singing along before the first chorus ends.<\/p>\n

Memories of first hearing the likes of Redd Kross and Teenage Fanclub come to mind as much as Blondie and The Go-Go\u2019s for me. This is such a happy-go-lucky record that will brighten up the dreariest of days and do its upmost to cheer up those with a broken heart. The songwriting shines through, and it\u2019s fair to say the fine art of a catchy chorus and clever use of song dynamics is not lost on these guys.<\/p>\n

Next up they deliver \u2018Real Thing\u2019 which I can excitedly describe as The Shangri-Las doing Ramones. With twangy guitar riffs and cool vocalisin\u2019, it\u2019s a hook-laden sound of the summer, designed to blast from your radio and sing at the top of your voice.<\/p>\n

Two tracks in and I\u2019m already sold, I guarantee you will be too. The more punky \u2018Pinch Myself\u2019 sees the band ramp up the aggression. Urgent drums, gang vocals and guitars turned up to 11 sees the Rats channel the NY sound of Blondie and Ramones to the max.<\/p>\n

Quirky lyrics and heartfelt sentiment takes us into Kirsty MacColl territory on the likes of \u2018Time To Time\u2019 and \u2018Lucky\u2019 as layered, sweet vocal harmonies and reverb drenched guitars gel perfectly.<\/p>\n

\u2018Get Down\u2019 has that classic 60\u2019s Phil Spector feel. The drum beat, the percussion and the little guitar riff, the way the song builds is perfectly executed. The stops before the verses, the sultry vocal delivery, it all gels to make a perfect pop ditty that would\u2019ve hit the top of the hit parade back in the day pop pickers.<\/p>\n

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Featuring more potential radio hits than you can shake a stick at, \u2018Got Lucky\u2019 is song after song, with not a bad track on offer and it\u2019s highly enjoyable from start to finish. If your heart misses a beat at the mention of The Go-Go\u2019s, or if you get all dreamy and misty-eyed at the sound of Blondie, or maybe you just miss the simplicity of a 3 chord Ramones pop song, then you could do no better than dig into what Lucy & The Rats have to offer. Dirty Water Records do it again delivering a great product from a fantastic band you need in your life right now. Hit the link below and buy the record, you won\u2019t regret it.<\/p>\n

Buy ‘Got Lucky’ Here<\/a><\/p>\n

Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Author: Ben Hughes<\/p>\n