RSS Feed


STICKY BOYS
Make Art

Listenable (2014)
Rating: 6/10

It seems rather apt that after spinning the mighty fine opus Higher Mountain – Closer Sun by The Milestones, Listenable Records should offer up another high-energy rock ’n’ roll band in the form of French rockers Sticky Boys. Make Art is the second opus from this troupe, emerging just two years after 2012 debut platter This Is Rock ‘N’ Roll and hot on the heels of appearances supporting the likes of Nashville Pussy, Crucified Barbara and Y&T.

Although very different in stature to the Southern-influenced boogie rock of The Milestones, Sticky Boys make ideal label comrades with their simple, yet driving rock ’n’ roll, which is again much a case of less frills yet hard work. This enables this trio to shine through the 11 cuts on offer.

Alex Kourelis (guitars / vocals), J.B. Chesnot (bass / vocals) and Tom Bullot (drums / vocals) should be proud of this opus, because it’s one that is quick to make its presence known by digging in with its claws on opener ‘Mary Christmas’, which is a live and direct prod at the cranium. The track only hints at a metallic sheen, but instead offers a down ’n’ dirty fire. The trio are clearly intent on carving out a riotous affair that is both short and sweet, burning bright with the oily ramble of ‘Bad Reputation’ which is very much Motörhead influenced with that clattering bass / drum tag team, although the vocals boast more of a tuneless punk ethos which works well in front of the noisy backdrop of Bullot’s drum cacophony.

‘High Power Thunder’ is another straightforward blitz; it gives me the feeling that as a live act these guys must rock hard, and be the perfect support for some of the bands they’ve supported. ‘High Power Thunder’ is a blunt blow to the senses driven by a simple riff and jabbing drum. Halfway through the record, however, with the likes of ‘Mrs Psycho’, ‘Uncle Rock’, ‘Party Time’ and ‘The Future In Your Hands’, it’s clear that these guys have no real time for subtlety, or variety for that matter.

Each track sort of blurs into one another in a kind of lightweight-punkoid frenzy. To an extent that’s a shame, because although every track is a sweat-fuelled party-goer, there’s no real standout bopper or lower tempo anthem. I just get the feeling that songs of this ilk could be written in minutes, and sadly forgotten about just as quickly. And so, Make Art is a half-decent punk-edged rock album but one with the lifespan of gnat.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share