Call Me Sylvia

Low Cut Connie

Independent release, 2012

http://www.lowcutconnie.com

REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 05/11/2013

After perusing the track listing and seeing titles like “Scoliosis In Secaucus” and “Boozophilia,” I had a feeling I was in for a good time with this sophomore album from Low Cut Connie. Call Me Sylvia my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250 comes off as the sort of bar rock meets garage rock that would suit any decade since the '60s and is much in the vein of The Rolling Stones or The Replacements. Heavy on the keys, main frontman Adam Weiner brings his piano to the party and the playful hooks and riffs ensure a restless, fun adventure.

Undeniably nostalgic, with Weiner seemingly channeling Jerry Lee Lewis, Low Cut Connie still sound relevant today with their gritty, timeless rock 'n' roll. Drummer/guitarist Dan Finnemore trades vocal duties, and often his songs are more focused on love. “Stay Alive If You Can,” a Weiner song, gets a bit moody and bluesy, while his “No More Wet T-Shirt Contests” is a reckless piano rocker with lots of background live noise feel. “Dreams Don't Come True” is Weiner's soft song, a sincere ballad with just his voice and a gentle guitar.

Finnemore's contributions, however, sound much different. “Brand New Cadillac” is a quick paced and Americana/rockabilly fueled jam and his themes are tenderer. “Share Your Name,” the best tune here, emphasizes hand clapping, and the keys and driving guitars give it an almost oldies feeling. Though he sings on about a third of the tracks here, his appearances are all first rate – not that Weiner is a slouch by any means.

With 15 tunes here, there's a good mix of sweaty and rugged versus space to breathe. “Pity Party” sounds like the soundtrack to a kegger at Marty McFly's house, while “Cleveland” brings the pulse down significantly and sounds reminiscent of a much later decade. Regardless of tempo, volume, or variation of rock, there just isn’t a dull moment across Call Me Sylvia.

Rating: B

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


Comments

 








© 2013 Tom Haugen and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Independent release, and is used for informational purposes only.