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Smokin' Eldorados
Songs In The Car Keys Of Life
Squarejaw
A virtual Australian supergroup comprised of former members of such legendary Australian outfits as Tall Tales and True and the Hoodoo Gurus, the Smokin' Eldorados' new effort Songs In The Car Keys Of Life is a heaving, bluesy beast of an album that sets a frenetic pace and never backs away. Bringing to mind a more feral Nick Cave or Jon Spencer wandering through the bush with rabies, the Smokin' Eldorados are a musically aggressive outfit that aren't shy about getting their hands dirty. Singer/guitarist Rodney Rodalj's deep growl is the motor that keeps these numbers on track and whether it's the swaggering blues of "Innocent Man" or the snarling irony of "Cowboy Up," the Smokin' Eldorados play hard through the steam. Elsewhere, "Workin' On A Line" suggests The Dream Syndicate, circa The Days Of Wine And Roses; "Smokin' Eldroado" is a libidinous six-minute blast and "Crosstown Boogie" is dirty street soul at its finest. Boasting a solid rhythm section consisting of Rodalj and Matthew De La Hunty sharing both guitars and vocal duties, bassist Laurie Sinagra and drummer Tim Bates, The Smokin' Eldorados sound positively fearless. This confidence is never more apparent than on the album's finest track, the ten-minute trash rock beauty "Laws Of Love Pt. 3." The drums are loose-limbed, the bass steady and limber and the guitars clang away with a bruising grace that builds itself into a drunken, weary submission. "Don't go around breaking my heart," De La Hunty warns. Even though he later adds, "You know I'll always forgive you," one can tell from the song's furious sonic workout that he's getting tired of it. A staggering effort.
--Alex Green
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