The Fleshtones: Wheel of Talent (YepRoc/Southbound)

 |   |  <1 min read

The Fleshtones: Tear for Tear
The Fleshtones: Wheel of Talent (YepRoc/Southbound)

New York's Fleshtones have been cranking out raw rock'n'roll since the mid Seventies and their schtick is to trawl the history of the genre (girl groups, garageband rock, punk etc) and shape it to their own ends.

They've gone through quite a few members but their guests have included Fred Smith of Television and Clem Burke from Blondie, who probably just liked the idea of letting their hair down on some familiar and fun chords and beats.

This album -- their umpteenth by my count -- has so many reference points ("remem berthe ramones" is a great syllable-breaking chorus) and enjoyable styles thrown in the mix (guitar jangle, Thin Lizzy-meets-AC./DC, Bowie at his most poncy) that it sounds like a jukebox on random play.

Guest this time is Mary Huff from Southern Culture on the Skids who brings some terrific girl-group moves and there's a lovely Jersey Shore singalong on What I've Done Before.

Just for a Smile should be a hit, it's that silly-good-catchy. 

Sort of a straight-faced parody in places.

Mixed results but like any good jukebox you're bound to find at least a few songs you'll like. 

Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   Music at Elsewhere articles index

Nancy Sinatra: Start Walkin' 1965-1976 (Light in the Attic/digital outlets)

Nancy Sinatra: Start Walkin' 1965-1976 (Light in the Attic/digital outlets)

Among my cheaply bought secondhand records is the 1972 album Again by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood . It was previously in the music library at 4ZB (the cover also has an official NZBC sticker)... > Read more

Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra: Be Mine Tonight (ukulele.co.nz)

Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra: Be Mine Tonight (ukulele.co.nz)

Among the many problems I have with this -- and they start with the cheap looking cover and extend to the sheer obviousness of the project -- is how utterly joyless some of these versions of New... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Amanda Cheng of Wax Chattels

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Amanda Cheng of Wax Chattels

Auckland's Wax Chattels -- the “guitarless guitar music” trio of bassist Amanda Cheng, vocals/organ Peter Ruddell and drummer Tom Leggett -- not only have an impressive and powerful... > Read more

MILES DAVIS, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY (1990): Miles runs the voodoo down

MILES DAVIS, THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY (1990): Miles runs the voodoo down

When trumpeter Miles Davis turned 60 in 1986 the New York weekly Village Voice marked the occasion with a lavish 28-page supplement of essays and critical opinion. By way of introduction the... > Read more