Reviewed by: Howard W Bones

Published: 11 August 2011

double a side: peggy sue

The Amcats have gone a long way to winning me over before I even had played their latest release. VINYL, ladies and gents, VINYL! When will the world realise how great it truly is? I can’t remember where I read the quote recently or who it was by, but someone said we should just forget about cds and only release digital and vinyl recordings. The benefits are immense the sound is way better (even for the little dust pops and crackles which only add to it for me), bigger packaging which makes for more interesting art work and something you’ll actually display in your house - PLUS it forces the listener to LISTEN… amazing, I know.

Anyway…as you can see I get excited by such matters. Now the music…

The back story behind this recording appears to be quite a prestigious one really (again, geebus praise the bands who understand the importance of an online presence!!!). It was recorded in New York City at the Seaside Lounge with producer Phil Palazzolo who has worked with Neko Case, the New Pornographers and more. Might I add this was recorded straight to tape? Another tick Amcats, well played.

If you listen to the fine Adelaide station Three D Radio you would have to have been living under a rock not to hear ‘Peggy Sue’, although if you had an ear blink you may have missed it. By my half arse calculations the song is somewhere in the 1:30 territory and what it lacks in length it makes up in energy. As is the Amcats normal style, the recording is jangly garage territory with a harp microphone style distorted vocal throughout. The live energy of the band has been captured wonderfully and gets your foot tapping with ease. I can only presume ‘Peggy Sue’ is a nod to a certain bespectacled rocker of ye olde days, so this earns another tick in my books.

Side A (2) features ‘Rain Rain Rain’ which is another rollicking and even more jangly little number with a little more length. It keeps within that garage rockabilly feel of ‘Peggy Sue’, but also seem reminiscent in part of early tunes by ‘The Who’. The twin vocal that comes in on what serves as a chorus (or refrain?) adds extra depth.

Overall a great release from the Amcats. These guys, whilst retaining their influences, are becoming super steady on their feet, and the confidence and lack of hesitation in this release makes it a fun listen. I’m yet to see these guys live but after listening to this release I look forward to catching a show from the Amcats in the near future.