The Grouchy Gaijin's Thoughts on Music and Such

A while back a guy named Larry emailed me about his band The Thromboes.  Over the course of several emails I got to know Larry a bit.  He seems like a good guy. (Plus he digs Beggars Banquet as much as I do.)  I was eager to hear his music.  Unfortunately, the album She's Like  A British Car didn't really do it for me.

Undaunted Larry shot back with a CD from another project he is involved with.  Enter The Histrioniks and their album About This Girl.

When I listened to this album I was really happy - it is just a lot better than his first LP I heard.

So what kind of music is this?  I think of it as Perky Pop Punk that is its not overly complicated and fun.  I'm reminded of Shonen Knife (those ultra cute Japanese girls who belted out songs about drugging a kitty cat with Catnip).

While I like almost every song on the album there are some that I like better than others.  What I do like on every track is the singer's voice.  Larry's wife, Cat, can sing well.  I also like the fact that there is some really nice guitar work on this album - some of this stuff is gold.  I have the definite feeling that The Histrioniks are a better band than they get credit for.  Similar to Cindi Lauper in the sense that I never really took her seriously until I saw her live.  She played a show near my house when I lived in Japan.  She blew me away.  She played for over three hours and believe it or not raised the roof.  At one point Cindi traded licks with a sax man. She matched him note for note with her voice - fantastic really.  Some of the songs on this album remind me of how surprised I was when Cindi unleashed the talent I didn't realize she has - case in point Track 11 Gone.  There is some REALLY nice guitar work hidden under that simple foundation.  Listen carefully and you can hear Larry playing what sounds to me like a Flamenco inspired guitar line.  Well done Larry!

Track 1 - Underneath It All - killer drums come in at the beginning while Cat talks about Revolution.  I'm sure that this song is killer in concert - there is plenty of room for the drummer and guitar to both step out a wail.

Track 2 - Whiskers A Go-Go - I love this song.  Its got a really cool retro rock groove and very funny lyrics.  In the song her boyfriend is a cat.  its all very camp and tongue in cheek, but it rocks!

Track 3 - Saints in Atticus - Is one of the best tracks.  I dig the raunchy guitar with her melodic voice coming in over the top.  I hope Larry lets me post some of this on the site.  This song is infectious - its Pop-Punk at its best.

Track 6 - Perpendicular - I like the intro and rhythm of the song.  Her voice is beautiful and the funky drums really keep my attention.  There is an interesting keyboard track that fills the space nicely.

Track 9  - Anger Cherry - is a fun song.  I like the drums and the rhythm a lot, but the best thing is when Cat sings in a sweet voice I popped my Anger Cherry Pop Pop la la Pop la la I popped my Anger Cherry.  There is a nice guitar line that takes the song from a silly yet fun song about a chick getting pissed off and makes you realize that this dude can play guitar.

All in all the Grouch rating on this album is 3 and 1/2 scowls.  The nice guitar on track 11 gives them the 1/2 scowl.  This album would be a nice addition to any collection.  I like the fact that they don't take themselves too seriously (She rolled her Rock and Roll Beatles. She rolled her Rock and Roll Stones. She rolled her Rock and Roll High School), yet throw in some serious attention getters like the guitar in Gone.

The video for Anger Cherry.

   Whiskers A Go-Go

  Saints in Atticus

  Dominique

  Gone

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