The very first thing that happens, within the opening seconds of Clarinet Town, is an instant attraction to Bec Wood’s vocals. The rhythm section joins her mid-way through the first verse, and the net result is a stomping, formidable groove, with limber basslines that are irresistibly rhythmic.
The song really is pretty good, but The Hot Puppies tread perilously close to sounding like a derailed worship band. It’s too clean, too by-the-book. The keyboard sounds are the main offender here, if these are roughed up, and Wood stops being a square with her vocal delivery, The Hot Puppies are onto a winner. Seriously, the melodies in the chorus are wicked.
The b-sides also hint at promise, even if How To Choose A Wife is proper pop camp (Bec Wood doing a pretty handy Gwen Stefani impression). The Word On The Street, meanwhile, sees leashed, intricate guitar and bass riffs set free, and subsequently entwine themselves together provocatively.
Promising stuff, touches of greatness. I just want to rough them up a lot. These puppies are too well-behaved.
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