Sound City
Burger, 2019
8/10
Prior to making The Runaways a household name, Kim Fowley had assembled The Hollywood Stars. Though they didn’t last long, a well received album in 1977 and some impressive gigs secured The Hollywood Stars a cult following, however, they fizzled out right as they were gaining steam.
Sound City, which was recorded in 1976, is just out now, but coincides with some reunion shows, most notably at Whisky A Go Go in July of 2019.
“Sunrise And Sunset” starts the listen with retro rock sounds and glam rock influences amid the melodic and blues tinted setting, and “I Can’t Help It” follows with a ‘70s boogie spirit that writhes with style and grit.
Further along, “Too Hot To Handle” jangles with a folksy approach that’s full of classic rock influences, while “All The Kids On The Street” brings a power-pop edge amid plenty of tuneful rock. One of the album’s best, “Make It To The Party”, shows up late in the listen, and indeed could soundtrack a party with its primitive energy and head bobbin’, toe tappin’ fun.
Deeper cuts include “Shotgun”, which is a more cautious approach with guitar solos, and “Houdini Of Rock And Roll” exits the listen with raw punk rock nods.
Reportedly created as the California version of New York Dolls, there’s certainly comparisons in the proto-punk moments, though the hard rock nods from The Hollywood Stars even had legends like Alice Cooper and Kiss reworking their songs. Sadly, not all members of the band are still alive today, but this lost album documents their fleeting existence well with an unpolished delivery and honest glimpse into the Los Angeles undergound scene of the late ‘70s.
Travels well with: New York Dolls- Too Much Too Soon; Cheap Trick- In Color