The Calicoes have finally released an LP, with half of it produced by Gene Eugene and Dennis Danell, and the other half by Bob Moon and Frank Lenz. Kicking things off with a rockabilly instrumental, "Cosmic Thrill," the Calicoes go into "6 Feet Down," oding Elvis and the entire back catalogue of rock 'n' roll. "Rockabilly Riot" gets a little more sonically violent, grinding their guitars through a romper room of psychobilly euphoria.
Authenticity is the key to the Calicoes' approach – if it doesn't come through then everything fails. You can't just turn back the clock, put some grease in your hair, roll up your white t-shirt sleeves, marry your cousin, and expect Holly or Jerry Lee to approve. You have to actually feel what you are trying to recreate. Do the Calicoes achieve this? Do they feel their rock 'n' roll? With some reservation I would answer in the affirmative. The rawness and soul are certainly there, as are the aesthetics of upbeats and telltale guitar stylings. The topics of their songs are genuine and appropriate. And, yes, I can feel them, and I am transported – to a degree – to a time I never actually knew, but have experienced on TV.
The slight reservation comes from an odd feeling that something is missing. It could just be a sense of impetuousness or confusion – as if the band is still hesitant of their direction, or doubting their identity. But that is neither here nor there. Overall the Calicoes come to rock the sock, and succeed, especially with tracks like "What a Mess" and "Linda." I just hope they completely let loose next time.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinThe recent rise of interest in various alternative versions of rock-a-billy may be largely owed to the resurgence of former Stray Cats' front-man Brian Setzer's success and his imitators. Yet, The Calicoes have wisely avoided trying to mimic either the Brian Setzer Orchestra or the Stray Cats, though they come closer to being a psycho-punk-a-billy version of the latter. Like Setzer, The Calicoes…Similar sounding releases
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