Put an electric guitar in the right
hands and wonderful things can happen.
Without the electric guitar, rock
and roll might not have ever been conceived. From the
earliest pickings of the rock-a-billy players to the present
day, the guitar remains the main instrument of expression for
millions of artists.
The aptly named Amazing Mustang Boy
demonstrates a clear understanding of the capabilities of the
six-string. Throw a bit of George Thorogood or Brian
Setzer in a pot, add a pinch of Sublime's vocals, and you have
the Amazing Mustang Boy. Their new 5-song EP, Chrome &
Flames, is a rollicking mixture of hard-edged rock-a-billy
and modern rock.
A scraped washboard introduces
"Apple Jack Brandy." A funky vocal verse lulls you into
thinking that this is a pop record, until you're slammed by the
hard-rocking chorus and accompanying guitar magic. The
next song's title indicates you are in for a good time: "Keg
Party." Yes, the song's about drinking, but it contains
some sweet picking. A shimmering guitar opens "Wo Ho," a
track with a sing-along chorus that outdoes anything Weezer has
done lately. The band gets jazzy with "Give a Little,"
then switches into high gear for the final track, "Rock and Roll
Depression." The guitars chunk along, sounding like a
diesel truck with burned-out brakes.
These five songs were recorded with
a nice, bright tone that rivals anything currently available
from the major labels. If you are into rock and roll (and
you SHOULD be), check this band out.
Visit The Amazing
Mustang Boy Website
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