“A gang of pirate gypsy crackhead smart-mouthed snot nosed rock and roll misfits” is how this bunch of backcombed rockers from Atlanta describe themselves, a description that would normally have most rock writers tossing the CD to the bottom of the pile marked ‘cliché abuse’. Thankfully Tim Armstrong of Rancid saw something in this ragged bunch of musicians and guided them to appearances on the infamous Warped Tour and also as support to his own band. Is that proof that they can walk the walk to back up such proper rock and roll hellraising stories? Alternative Nation dons the denim waistcoat and enters the fray.
The first few tracks on
Hellbound and Heartless wash over the listener much as though they were standing in the third row at a sweaty concert somewhere: no great impression is made till about ten minutes in and all the initial commotion has died down. An inspired cover of the old Creedence Clearwater Revival classic
Travellin’ Band is unlikely to make John Fogerty launch lawsuits, but this aside it’s all fairly predictable punk edged rock with not a lot to distinguish it from anything else.
Just before the record enters the realms of being unsalvageable along comes a great duet with Joan Jett on
Tearstained Letters which shows that in order to be powerful these guys don’t have to play as though they’re attempting to break the punk rock speed limit with each track. Singer Chase’s lazy vocal style fits nicely here, instead of drowning in the mix like it does elsewhere on the record.
The Heart Attacks are no doubt a good live prospect, but on the strength of this record they have the ability to be a lot more diverse, which would ultimately do them a huge favour. While
Hellbound and Heartless is a steady enough rocker, they perhaps need to indulge themselves a little more in order to find their niche.
Hellbound and Heartless is out now on Hellcat
http://www.myspace.com/theheartattacks
-Kaylyn-
