“… there’s pretty things in Palookaville…”
Hound Gawd, 2021
10/10
Listen to “… there’s pretty things in Palookaville…”
The Los Angeles rockers Pat Todd & The Rankoutsiders are back with another energetic and classic blast of rock’n’roll that embraces all the best elements of the genre from the ‘60s on. A record with absolutely no filler or studio trickery, we’re treated to 16 tracks of pure, unfiltered and diverse guitar driven anthems that make an immediate and lasting impression.
“All The Years #1” starts the listen with a charged and melodic approach, where swirling guitars, gritty vocals and a kinetic rhythm section land somewhere between the early days of punk and glam-rock, and “Cheap Nostalgia” keeps the landscape strong with plenty of rhythm in the blues friendly delivery that even works harmonica into the equation.
Entering the middle, “Turn Back The Hands Of Time” is both rugged and tuneful with a sing-along quality as they tap into their inner soul on this interpretation of the classic, while “Money”, one of the record’s best, then recruits plenty of rock’n’roll spirit as guitar solos, powerful singing and crisp drumming impress on so many levels. “True Romance”, another excellent track, is then both raw and heartfelt as the band’s timeless chemistry emits much energy.
Deeper yet, “Nothing But Excuses” makes good use of acoustic guitar and some country rock ideas as the tune shuffles with a playful ambience, and “They’re Wrong/Dead Wrong” exits the listen with firm guitars amid a biting rock’n’roll template that sounds as great today as it will 50 years from now.
An album with enough variety to bring to mind The Cramps, just as it is New York Dolls or even Lazy Cowgirls (an outfit Pat Todd fronted from 1983-2004), whatever brand of rock you prefer, you’re going to find plenty of it to enjoy here again and again.
Travels well with: Professor And The Madman- Séance; Foxy- Can’t Stop Us/X-Ray Spex