Rock And Roll

Album Review

While Brooklyn's Hoy's last two LPs contain ballsy, crunchy, convincing power pop, he switches gears on Rock 'n' Roll, adopting ‘50s styles. Fortunately, he brings his normal mettle to this new/old mode. The opening title track replicates Buddy Holly too much, like "It's So Easy" knocked up "Peggy Sue" (been there). But that's a one-off, and thereafter, Hoy opens it up and hits harder, like what Cheap Trick might do if they signed to Sun Records. It's not rockabilly revival, either: "Almost Famous" and "2 Fingers Crossed" feel like the Kinks trying Texas bar blues or Buddy Guy, while Hoy's dirty, basement guitars slink and crank, and his voice wails full-on like a young James Moreland (Leaving Trains) or Jeffrey Lee Pierce (Gun Club). Another winner for sure. What next? Kickin' '40s blues? ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover, Rovi