Illinois Entertainer September 2022 | Page 13

THE HANDCUFFS Burn The Rails
( Pravda )
Chicago ’ s premiere glam-rock power couple Brad Elvis and Chloe F . Orwell return with their talented bandmates and a packet of prime pop . The Handcuff ’ s fourth album , Burn the Rails takes an affinity for Midwestern rock and roll a la Cheap Trick and infuses that with formative NYC post-punk and ‘ 70s British glam . Television , Lou Reed , New York Dolls , and Patti Smith are mashed up with Ziggy / Ronson-era David Bowie , The Sweet , The Who , Roy Wood , and Mott the Hoople for a set that offers hook after melodic hook in addition to titanic riffs . The anthemic “ Love Me While You Can ” is propelled by Elvis ’ Moon-infused drumming and Alison Hinderliter ’ s sparkling piano , while Orwell ’ s purring vocal conjures a T . Rex “ Telegram Sam ” -styled clan of friends . These “ connoisseurs of sleaze ” define a beautifully decadent scene together . “ A circle of friends , the innest of ins ,” sings Orwell . Jeffrey Kmieciak ’ s sharp lead guitar playing soars atop Orwell ’ s muscular rhythm guitar riffing . These songs are fun and sexy overall , with ample attitude . Orwell offers a devotion to her bestie and defense against unsavory attention in “ She Ain ’ t No Fluffer ,” delivered with a cheeky pose . Guest and Mott the Hoople keyboardist Morgan Fisher join Hinderliter to build a backdrop of psych-influenced electropop before the song erupts into a glam-pop grinder with two-ton riffs swapped between Kmieciak ’ s guitar and Emily Togni ’ s fuzz bass . The heavy pop shuffle “ Pretty Pretty ” turns sultry with Orwell ’ s confident lyric , walking down a city street and turning heads while accompanied by the paleolithic rumble of Togni ’ s bass . The sweetness and bounce of Wings combined with the soulful R & B-pop of Sly and the Family Stone during “ Let ’ s Name Our Children .” The song finds Orwell ’ s character falling hard and fast for a new flame , making a lifetime of plans in an instant . Orwell ’ s saxophone adds early Roxy Music-styled swagger to the withering disdain of “ Big Fat Mouth Shut ,” as Hinderliter ’ s pulsing piano amplifies the Queen-meets-Mottstyled pomp . The sax is also featured on “ Dancing with the Dandies .” Elvis ’ swinging thunder during the latter song sneaks in a Bun E . Carlos quote from Cheap Trick ’ s “ ELO Kiddies .” The song includes the perfect posturing lyric for the vinyl hipster : “ I ' m a gatefold , baby , don ' t treat me like an inner sleeve ,” sings Orwell . The twanging howl of “ I Cry for You ” expresses pain and heartache when carrying on following the loss of a loved one . The song ’ s driving backdrop recalls Patti
Continued on page 14 september 2022 illinoisentertainer . com 13