Let’s be honest, the last 18 months or so have been pretty wearing on a global scale. The lack of activity has sent musicians into their bedrooms armed with acoustic guitars to pen heartfelt solo material and we will, no doubt, see a slew of bands lyrically lamenting everything from poor governance, high death rates, loss of freedom…etc. There has been enough material in the last year to fuel a million punk albums. In the midst of all this we still need some respite, some levity, some fun. We need some good old rock and roll, and this is where Watts come to the rescue.
Unbeknownst to me, Boston’s Watts actually have a history that spans almost 30 years. I don’t know how I missed them at the time but Watts started life in the ‘90s before life got in the way and they lay fallow for many years before coming back together in the 2000s to test the water playing shows and releasing new material, the latest fruit of which is ‘Shady Rock And Rollers’.
Watts are rooted pretty firmly in the power pop field and bring to mind acts such as Cheap Trick, Kiss, The Black Crowes and the Stones with a sprinkling of new wave and the more melodic side of punk to deliver a dose of feel-good directly into the veins.
Opening track ‘Loud & Fast’ isn’t really either but it is a fantastic clarion call to kick off the album. A statement about the enduring appeal and power of rock and roll driven by a slinky riff and edgy bass line. ‘Queens’ on the other hand could have fallen straight off any of Kiss’s classic 70’s albums…when Kiss were still awesome. From here on it is a wondrous ride through the history of sleazy rock and roll as the album progresses. ‘The Night The Lights Went Down’ has a distinct Black Crowes vibe before they started flirting with psychedelia while ‘Shady’ is a fine ballad that Axl Rose would give what’s left of his nuts to write these days. So it continues through the driving punk tinged pop of ‘Shocking Pink’, the irresistible Faces style boogie of ‘Seventeen’ through to the closing blast of ‘All Done With Rock And Roll’ that mixes up 70s glam with 60s Phil Spector and a touch of punk rock.
Interestingly, like Kiss, all four members of the band take a turn behind the mic at various intervals. The bulk of the vocals are handled by guitarists Dan Kopko and Jason Blout but when drummer John Lynch and Craig LaPointe step up, they prove themselves to be no slouches, and this also gives the band room to explore harmonies and vocal interplay.
Ten tracks in 32 minutes… which pretty much makes it a perfect album. Enough to give you a shot of fun but not so much that it doesn’t leave you wanting more. Watts have put a smile on the face of 2021 at a time when smiling is what we need. The vaccines are great medicine but good old, kick ass rock and roll is by far a better tonic!
- ‘Shady Rock & Rollers’ (Rum Bar Records) is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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