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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Whisky Cats aren’t exactly yer run-of-the-mill band. And that’s why mainstream success might elude them, well, for now anyway. There are snippets of potential on offer though, like the rhythmic groove of Steady Freeloader, which if slightly re-mixed would make a corking single. Its lightweight thrust and funky basslines are reminiscent of Freak Power’s Turn On, Tune, Cop Out (1993) and something from 1970’s Climax Blues Band. Their quirky sojourns, as fascinating as they are, may be their Achilles heel, such as they the vaudeville-esque and punchy Contradictions and playful Amsterdam, no to be confused with the Beautiful South’s of the same title, oh and the bouncy In This Cellar.
When they play it down the middle, they strike gold, such as the free-flowing acoustic driven belter Locked Out Lover. The cool brass drop-ins which eventually end up counter-pointing each other at a frenetic pace towards its close are absolutely sublime as they ghost most of the track. Things go a bit bonkers once again on a rush-happy tribute to the Specials – Madness, throughout the fluidity and panache of Dirtboy The Queen, which is a real blast. On a few songs Locked Out Lover and the sensational ballad Bint, Matthew Whitaker’s singing is outstanding, on what is arguably the album’s jewel in the crown. Slippers is out of the Scott Joplin songbook, a rousing piano interlude of serious importance if you want to show your diversity, so let’s hope they get a lucky break, because they’re very original, very competent, very talented, and great fun. There again, the CD cover tells it all. The Verdict – Irresistible…. Watch this space.
Weblinks: whiskycats.co.uk / myspace.com/whiskycats
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
