SLICK'S KITCHEN

It's difficult when reviewing an album to not get preconceptions. It can be hard to love an album you've already resigned to dislike. So it is with some amazement that I find myself enjoying the debut EP from Slick's Kitchen. I feel I should explain myself. The cover is cheap. I mean 80s self-financed cassette cheap. You might pass it by in a bargain bin. I think you get the picture. Not only that, but the supplied blurb tells me I will be listening to some "cracking punk and roll numbers". Really? 'Punk and Roll'? I'll be the judge of that. With this in mind, I approached the album with the resolve normally reserved for overcoming a phobia. Which in the case of 'Punk and Roll' you could say was quite apt. Boy, was I wrong. Opener 'Cum in my Kitchen' is a great pop-rock (let's ditch the punk pretence from here on) tune, whilst second track 'Today's the Day' holds a fantastic sing-along melody. In fact, it's fair to say there's not a duff song here. Okay, it's only six tracks, so it shouldn't be hard to ensure every tune is killer. Still, it's highly impressive stuff. Full of catchy dynamics and the superb vocals (and bass) of 'Slick' himself. 'Preg' and 'Haan' are equally driving on guitar and drums respectively. The surprise though is track five 'Good Year Gone'. A ballad of sorts, it eschews schmaltz and bubblegum (which was the bane of pop-rock veterans Poison et al in the 80s) for anthemic hooks and an 80s new-wave feel. Excellent.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

BMB Enterprises

EP

HALF EVIL - HALF ALBUM

Review by Steve Cowan

RUNNING TIME:

17:53

RELEASE DATE:

2008

TRACK LISTING

1) Cum In My Kitchen
2) Today's The Day
3) Here I Am
4) No Man's Man
5) Good You're Gone
6) Just In Case

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Germany

"...highly impressive stuff...full of catchy dynamics..."