The Rockerati – Black Book EP
The Rockerati, the British pub rocking, rock 'n' roll band formed around singer-songwriter-guitarist (and sometimes playing everything else in the studio) David McCarthy, and who nod heavily (and intentionally) to the Dave Edmunds/ Nick Lowe/ Rockpile sound of the late 70s and early 80s (plus a splash of the Ramones and Chuck Berry), have followed up impressive 2018 debut album Waterloo Sunrise with 4-track EP, Black Book.
While one hopes the EP, which in CD form cleverly emulates the look of a vinyl record (albeit in miniature), is the forerunner to a second full-length album in the not too distant, it stands on its own short (no track come close to scaring the three-minute mark) and sharp merits, as do two non EP singles released earlier in the year (more on which later).
The EP opens with 'Little Black Book,' a vocal harmonised melodic pop-rocker that sounds like Dave Edmunds accompanied by The Byrds guitar jangle (no bad dovetailng, frankly).
'Go Around The Sun' is The Rockerati in full, slightly distorted rock(abilly) and roll mode (Jesus And Mary Chain drummer Justin Welch gives it plenty here), while 'Sentimental' (written by singer & multi-instrumentalist Seamus Murphy) mixes British rock and roll with spirited, Jerry Lee Lewis styled piano.
'One Way Ticket to Funtown' is, as the title suggests, a full speed, fun-filled rattle down the rock and roll tracks; one that makes for an exhilarating finish.
For those that want a little bit more than a 4-track, sub ten minutes EP, there’s the aforementioned, non EP singles, both of which are worthy of attention – the rollicking and fully Rockpile’d 'Analogue Again' and the similarly rockin' 'Big Dog.'
It's also worth noting that the singles are only available on Bandcamp, the community based distribution service that The Rockerati (and many others) believe to be the best option in the face of streaming services exploitation.
Related, Waterloo Sunrise can now also be purchased as a 10 track Digital Special Edition on Bandcamp.
Yes, Waterloo Sunrise, the singles and the Black Book EP are, at times, pretty much on the Rockpile or Dave Edmunds nose, but that’s both the good time/ retro rock 'n' roll point and the sound that David McCarthy wants the airwaves to hear again.
Long may The Rockerati roll.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Black Book EP is available on CD or Digital Download at:
https://therockerati.bandcamp.com/album/black-book-ep
While one hopes the EP, which in CD form cleverly emulates the look of a vinyl record (albeit in miniature), is the forerunner to a second full-length album in the not too distant, it stands on its own short (no track come close to scaring the three-minute mark) and sharp merits, as do two non EP singles released earlier in the year (more on which later).
The EP opens with 'Little Black Book,' a vocal harmonised melodic pop-rocker that sounds like Dave Edmunds accompanied by The Byrds guitar jangle (no bad dovetailng, frankly).
'Go Around The Sun' is The Rockerati in full, slightly distorted rock(abilly) and roll mode (Jesus And Mary Chain drummer Justin Welch gives it plenty here), while 'Sentimental' (written by singer & multi-instrumentalist Seamus Murphy) mixes British rock and roll with spirited, Jerry Lee Lewis styled piano.
'One Way Ticket to Funtown' is, as the title suggests, a full speed, fun-filled rattle down the rock and roll tracks; one that makes for an exhilarating finish.
For those that want a little bit more than a 4-track, sub ten minutes EP, there’s the aforementioned, non EP singles, both of which are worthy of attention – the rollicking and fully Rockpile’d 'Analogue Again' and the similarly rockin' 'Big Dog.'
It's also worth noting that the singles are only available on Bandcamp, the community based distribution service that The Rockerati (and many others) believe to be the best option in the face of streaming services exploitation.
Related, Waterloo Sunrise can now also be purchased as a 10 track Digital Special Edition on Bandcamp.
Yes, Waterloo Sunrise, the singles and the Black Book EP are, at times, pretty much on the Rockpile or Dave Edmunds nose, but that’s both the good time/ retro rock 'n' roll point and the sound that David McCarthy wants the airwaves to hear again.
Long may The Rockerati roll.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Black Book EP is available on CD or Digital Download at:
https://therockerati.bandcamp.com/album/black-book-ep