THE HIGH BEAMS
Hallucination (Deadbeat)
Reviewed by Alan Wright

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The High Beams play the kind of stripped-down rock 'n' roll that probably would've been called "punk rock" had it come out in '77 because punk was the only thing resembling real rock 'n roll music then. This is one of those rare CDs that immediately struck me on the first play, the songs are so good. Led by former Mullens/Vultures guitarist Matt Mayo - who also handles the lead vox - the trio pounds out great mid-tempo tunes with echos of the Heartbreakers, Dead Boys, Lurkers, and even some early '70s Stones type action goin' on. This is the kind of stuff that really gets the foot tappin' and makes ya wanna dance around like a maniac. "Look At Her Run," "Lori Looker," "Sleep Over," and the very Radio Birdman-esque "Tell Somebody" all get me moving. Yeah, this is really good. I recently saw them live, and they've added a second guitarist for a fuller live sound since Matt plays all the rhythm and leads on the CD, and I was kinda wondering how they'd recreate that live. Now I can say that they are just as smokin' live!

[Pick this up at www.dead-beat-records.com.]

© 2003 - Alan Wright