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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nRegular readers will need no introduction to Joe A Maddox and his merry men. Over the last couple of years, he\u2019s been busy writing and developing his Continental Lovers from a project to a full band. In that respect, he shares some common ground with his ex-Breakdowns band mate Matt Julian, now of The Speedways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the downsides of living in France is that I\u2019m unlikely to see the Lovers boys on a stage any time soon. However, you lucky people can see them across the UK supporting Spike\u2019s Quireboys and The Dogs D\u2019amour in Nov\/December, as well as performing some headline gigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of the 13 tracks here, you may already be familiar with previous releases, such as \u2018Tape Deck\u2019 which well and truly kicks things off. \u201cTake a C90 and put it in your tape deck..\u201d There\u2019s a hint of The Vapors, a whiff of 1979, which is fine by me. If they\u2019d been around at the time, I\u2019d probably have had \u2018Continental Lovers\u2019 scrawled on my pencil case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018St. Joan\u2019 is their punchy tribute to Ms Jett, you can almost smell the black leather, while \u2018Really Doesn\u2019t Matter\u2019 is two minutes of power pop that is reminiscent of early Cheap Trick and The Speedways, so, quite a treat. \u2018Paraffin Lips\u2019 and \u2018Tattered Star\u2019 have already done the rounds chez moi, short stabs that are fun to return to, but I\u2019m really absorbed in the new songs, particularly \u2018Connection\u2019, which will give The Dogs D\u2019amour a run for their money on the upcoming tour. With the legendary (round here) Willie Dowling providing keyboards and knob twiddling (in the studio), they\u2019ve thrown everything at this tune; castanets, handclaps and a solo worthy of J D Bradfield, and it works in their favour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Make Up Your Mind\u2019 will keep Uncle Dom Daley happy in the cover version quota, a faithful take on the Stiv Bators classic. \u2018Outta Sight\u2019 throws a little Buzzcocks into the mix with the melody line solo. \u201cThese Lovers are outta sight\u201d is their motto, young and full of it, as is only right. They also make the effort to look like a band, which people seem embarrassed to do nowadays. Flaunt it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Wedding Song\u2019 and \u2018The Girl\u2019 offer a more introspective, acoustic sound. Quality melancholy, with shades of Tom Petty. \u2018Dale Arden\u2019 is an ode to Flash Gordon\u2019s paramour\/heroine of the silver screen, another addictive tune, while \u2018Let\u2019s Go Out Tonight\u2019 flys by in a blur of Ramones-style intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Available on digital platforms from 15th<\/sup> November, the CD is out on 13th<\/sup> December via Cadiz Music\/Real Vision Records. Check their Facebook page for the upcoming tour dates, folks. These songs were made to be played live, so don\u2019t miss out. You\u2019re gonna love it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n