Opening track and first single ‘Make My Getaway’ had me from that first riff – its a riff that sounded remarkably familiar and a melody that echoes songs you’ll have heard before, and that is a real part of the charm of Lucer – they don’t want to create anything new but they don’t want to stay stuck in the past either so they go the ‘timeless rock’ route like so may have before. The good news is that they have the songs, the attitude and the chops to be far from also-rans.
‘Living on the Line that follows is also unashamedly hard-rocking blues and if there was any doubt from that first track then the AC/DC and antipodean influences are laid bare here – you can certainly imagine these Danes being brought up on an Australian diet of AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and even a little of the Angels. But there is more of course, and the longer you listen the more you’ll pick up (the bio for example namechecks D-A-D and Backyard Babies but you’ll hear others).
The big hard rocking speed boogie of ‘Roll the Dice’ the second single is definitely a standout and the mellower ‘Vintage Rock ‘n’ Roll’ that follows is a nice ode to the music of yesteryear that adds a touch of Bad Co and has a singalong chorus you’ll eat up!
We hit halfway with the very AC/DC grooves of my current favourites “Dead Man’s Walk’ and the wonderful build up of and boogie of ‘Dirty Job’ before ‘Straight to the Bone’ keeps the party going all night long!
We close just as impressively as things began with ‘Stabbed in the Kneecap’ and its almost Angels-like attitude and killer drive pushing you out of the door whilst the final word goes to the wonderfully anachronistic ‘Out of Touch’ which slams that door in your face. These are two heady classics in the making to close! By the end you’ll just want to play it all over again!
As the press release says “9 songs released on black vinyl with an uncompromising production and no bull s*** playing style. Turn up the volume!” I concur! This is a great rocker you have to hear! L.A. Collection is out on the 11th of June.
8.5/10
