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Language . Sex . Violence . Other ? or 1999 ’ s blockbuster Performance and Cocktails .
– Andy Derer
5 the Knack nods to its stateside forebears with an encore of the Monkees ’ “ Last Train to Clarksville .” The band burns the stage down with the aptly-named “( Havin ’ a ) Rave Up ” before Fieger shouts “ rock and roll !” as the band leaves the scene – having come full circle after launching the evening with “ Pop is Dead .” The sound of Live at the House of Blues is perfectly decent as a live document , even if it ’ s apparent it wasn ’ t originally recorded with the intention of release . Henderson ’ s tom-toms occasionally boom out over the mix , and Niles ’ sharp playing could have been mixed louder as the set progresses . The set shows real spark and is great fun for Knack fans , though , even if they ’ ll have to appreciate the historical touchstone while forgiving some sonic imperfections . The set arrives on baby blue vinyl . ( liberationhall . com )
– Jeff Elbel
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THE KNACK Live at the House of Blues , Hollywood , 9 / 25 / 2001 ( Liberation Hall )
Check the date in the title of this Record Store Day 2xLP release , and imagine the mood heading into this 2001 return-to-action by America ’ s power-pop heroes . Founding members Doug Fieger , Berton Averre , and Prescott Niles decided to persevere in the wake of terror attacks in hopes that cheeky , Brit-influenced pop could provide relief amid national shellshock . “ In these troubled times , sometimes we need a night of unmitigated joy , and that ’ s why we ’ re here ,” says Fieger before counting off “ Can I Borrow a Kiss .” The Knack was also promoting their sixth ( and final ) album Normal as the Next Guy . Fieger is an enthusiastic frontman throughout , even if he struggles a bit when reaching for notes on the sensitive “ One Day at a Time ” or ode to the band ’ s Los Angeles hometown “ Another Lousy Day in Paradise .” He ’ s solid during caffeinated rockers like “ It ’ s Not Me ” and “ Siamese Twins ( The Monkey and Me ),” gathering vocal power as the set heats up . Underrated as a guitar hero , Averre blazes across his fretboard and earns a place alongside respected pop champs like the Cars ’ Elliot Easton . * Normal as the Next Guy drummer Dave Henderson plays a whip-crack beat while Averre plays stinging leads and sharp rhythm throughout “ That ’ s What the Little Girls Do .” Niles ’ walking bassline careens deliriously through the ( unlisted ) rockabilly rave-up “ Hold on Tight and Don ’ t Let Go ” and locks in hard with Henderson ’ s sledgehammer beat and Averre ’ s indelible riffing during “ My Sharona .” The set features eight of * Get the Knack ’ s 12 tracks including “ Good Girls Don ’ t .” In addition to a cover medley of “ Tequila ” ( a showcase for Averre ’ s slide guitar chops ) and the Doors ’ “ Break on Through ( to the Other Side ),”
HOODOO GURUS Chariot of the Gods
( Universal / Big Time )
Pandemic lockdown had little in the way of silver lining , but it did force Hoodoo Gurus off the road and back into the studio . The Australian garage-pop heroes return with their first album since 2010s Purity of Essence , and it ’ s a ripper . There ’ s no dust or rust in evidence during glam-stomping opener “ World of Pain ” and its tale of another Friday night brawl at the pub . Founding singer and principal songwriter Dave Faulkner is joined by mainstays Brad Shepherd on lead guitar and Rick Grossman on bass . Drummer Nik Rieth makes his first LP appearance with the Gurus but has been performing with the band since 2015 . The anthemic “ Carry On ” invokes damn-the-torpedoes tenacity like an amps-to-11 take on Tom Petty ’ s “ I Won ’ t Back Down .” Grossman ’ s bass growls alongside Shepherd ’ s snarling guitar during “ Answered Prayers ” and its volatile tale of toxic codependence . At the other extreme thematically is “ Hang with the Girls ,” a barroom barnstormer about a couple of kids who didn ’ t fit conventional stereotypes but found their own way . “ Forget the gender , just love me tender ,” sings Faulkner . The euphoric ba-ba-ba vocal of “ Equinox ” celebrates a happy anniversary and happenstance matched to april 2022 illinoisentertainer . com 17