Review: Len Price 3 - Rentacrowd
Label: Wicked Cool
Released: May 29, 2007
There's a difference between cover bands and revivalists. The former, when done right (or as right as basing your existence on covers can be), sounds like a particular band. The latter, when done right, taps into the energy and soul of a band or a genre and brings it out for a fresh listen. A great cover band might be almost as good as a bad revivalist, but a great revivalist can do great things in its own right. The Len Price 3 is just one of those great revivalists.
I first heard the title track of the Len Price 3's Rentacrowd, on Little Steven's Underground Garage and liked it instantly. It didn't take long to figure out why: I also really like "Substitute" which "Rentacrowd" totally rips off. Nonetheless, they do it with style and passion and a perfect dose of edgy anger. They have that same ability to be melodic and chaotic that the Who had. Copy-catting aside, it was good enough for me to seek out the full release.
By and large, the album moves along at a fast pace, seeming even shorter than its 37 minutes. The trio doesn't get bogged down in long songs, but simply cut to the chase whether tapping into 60s British soul on "If I Ain't Got You" or fuzzy garage rock on "Girl Like You." They show they can create a great groove on "Cold 500" and a great hook on "Julia Jones." They provide a reprieve from the breakneck pace on two songs, the Byrds-ian jangle of "Doctor Gee" and the Beatlesque pop of "Mesmer." They even fill in the blanks between the 60s R&B of the Yardbirds and the Kinks and the 70s punk of the Buzzcocks and the Jam. Throughout all of this, they mix huge overdriven guitars, straightforward, driving rhythms and edgy lead vocals with the sweet harmonies that seldom accompany music that really rocks at its core.
Rentacrowd closes on a light-hearted note with the mellow psyche trippiness of "Australia," which even hints at the Beach Boys. Don't turn the album off right away though, because after an annoying four minute gap, the Len Price 3 has a nice surprise: a raw soul groove on organ, bass and really laid back drums supporting thin, echoey vocals. It allows the record to settle down at the end rather than being harsh and abrupt. Plus, it's as good as anything on the album.
With their second release, the Len Price 3 revives the British Invasion even if it's a one band show this time. Fuzzy guitar, solid rhythms, sweet harmonies and vocals full of bitter yet fun anger make up the kind of album that's just plain LOUD, whether you set the volume at one or eleven. It's nothing new, but near perfect in its own way nonetheless.
Rating: 8/10
Released: May 29, 2007
There's a difference between cover bands and revivalists. The former, when done right (or as right as basing your existence on covers can be), sounds like a particular band. The latter, when done right, taps into the energy and soul of a band or a genre and brings it out for a fresh listen. A great cover band might be almost as good as a bad revivalist, but a great revivalist can do great things in its own right. The Len Price 3 is just one of those great revivalists.
I first heard the title track of the Len Price 3's Rentacrowd, on Little Steven's Underground Garage and liked it instantly. It didn't take long to figure out why: I also really like "Substitute" which "Rentacrowd" totally rips off. Nonetheless, they do it with style and passion and a perfect dose of edgy anger. They have that same ability to be melodic and chaotic that the Who had. Copy-catting aside, it was good enough for me to seek out the full release.
By and large, the album moves along at a fast pace, seeming even shorter than its 37 minutes. The trio doesn't get bogged down in long songs, but simply cut to the chase whether tapping into 60s British soul on "If I Ain't Got You" or fuzzy garage rock on "Girl Like You." They show they can create a great groove on "Cold 500" and a great hook on "Julia Jones." They provide a reprieve from the breakneck pace on two songs, the Byrds-ian jangle of "Doctor Gee" and the Beatlesque pop of "Mesmer." They even fill in the blanks between the 60s R&B of the Yardbirds and the Kinks and the 70s punk of the Buzzcocks and the Jam. Throughout all of this, they mix huge overdriven guitars, straightforward, driving rhythms and edgy lead vocals with the sweet harmonies that seldom accompany music that really rocks at its core.
Rentacrowd closes on a light-hearted note with the mellow psyche trippiness of "Australia," which even hints at the Beach Boys. Don't turn the album off right away though, because after an annoying four minute gap, the Len Price 3 has a nice surprise: a raw soul groove on organ, bass and really laid back drums supporting thin, echoey vocals. It allows the record to settle down at the end rather than being harsh and abrupt. Plus, it's as good as anything on the album.
With their second release, the Len Price 3 revives the British Invasion even if it's a one band show this time. Fuzzy guitar, solid rhythms, sweet harmonies and vocals full of bitter yet fun anger make up the kind of album that's just plain LOUD, whether you set the volume at one or eleven. It's nothing new, but near perfect in its own way nonetheless.
Rating: 8/10
posted by bob_vinyl at 12:43 AM
2 Comments:
Interesting review. It sounds like something I'll either absolutely hate or absolutely love. And that's a great thing about record reviews... I won't know until I actually get off my ass and listen! Which I will do soon -- at least if you remind me, or loan me the CD.
really good review, Bob... I especially liked your lead-in with the revivalist vs. cover explanation.
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