Black Is Beautiful

Album Review

Ok, ok, we get it! Rock is not dead! Or, we could even suckle on the professional trendmakers a little harder and say that rock is "back" maaaaaan! Rolling Blackouts are about as cocksure a group as you'll find this side of Mick and friends. The debate is only which side of Keith and company we're talking about here. The gut wants to jiggle in all its beer-swollen glory to the ultra-groover "Loophole Blues" or air-drum like a maniac to the three, yes three, drum solos found on the under-three-minute "Rock Paper Scissors." Yet, there's something inherently foul about the sub-"Black Dog" riffage on "Ms. Bitter" or inversely, wussy harmonies on "Velvet Revenge." If all it takes is some fiery guitar distortion to get you off, then this here gang offers some of the dankest fuzz around recorded — surprisingly — by Stones Throw funk mastering expert Dave Cooley. Check in particular the Luftwaffe approved dive-bomber riffs on "Lots of Love." But like many bands who are convinced that history is the new rock & roll, Rolling Blackouts can't seem to stay on any one page long enough to get it right.