X
Feralette, 2021
10/10
A Nashville outfit fronted by Price Harrison, Sour Ops prove that there’s a lot more to Music City than twang, as X births a very nostalgic power-pop meets glam-rock adventure where George Lilly and Tony Frost contribute drums and bass.
“There She Goes” starts the listen with no shortage of energy as thumping drums, driving guitars and gritty yet melodic singing highlight the timeless power-pop spirit, and "Do You Wanna Be Like Them?” follows with some garage rock flavor entering the sing-alongs and vibrant rhythm section.
At the halfway point, “Inside My Mind” moves swiftly with a bouncy and precise approach that occasionally dips into calmer, soulful moments with brass, while “My Baby Shut Down” displays chunky guitar alongside some Brit-rock nods in its keyboard friendly climate and ‘80s sensibilities. “I Want You Around”, one of the most diverse tracks on the listen, then touches on Nashville influences as some raw country exists alongside the proto-punk remnants.
Further down the line, “The Sexy Sadist” recruits Price’s brother Mark on guitar for a buzzing, retro rock’n’roll delivery, and “Out Of Place” exits the listen with charming synth and atypical rhythm that’s quite stylish and highly memorable.
It’s difficult to not think of legends like Cheap Trick, Jesse Malin or Alex Chilton when listening to X, which could never be a bad thing, as Harrison and company offer us one of the best rock’n’roll albums of 2021.
Travels well with: Richard Hell And The Voidoids- Destiny Street Complete; The Buzzcocks- The Way