Album review: THE BRUTALISTS

October 2nd, 2018 by jason

Cleopatra Records [Release date 31.08.18]

The Brutalists were put together in LA by former LA Guns guitarist Mick Cripps and Quireboys’ bassist Nigel Mogg, and having regularly gigged throughout California, the band have now released their self-titled debut album.

A great mix of influences that includes ska, reggae and some 60’s R&B sounds nicely blended with a bit of punk, a touch of pub rock and a pinch of sleaze, “The Brutalists” contains some clever British humour throughout the lyrics and you can almost certainly hear the Clash here and there.

Opening track “I Don’t Believe A Word” has some ska like elements, with choppy guitars and is almost Yardbirds like in parts, whilst “Meet Me Halfway” has a feel that is reminiscent of the Beatles’ “Ob-La-Di” and there is more of that ‘60’s feel in “Enough Of Me” and “Nutter”.

There is a great melody in “Talk of The Town” and “Know Your Value” could have easily slotted into an ‘80’s movie soundtrack, for me though the album’s winning trio are “Wishing I Was Far Away”, “Look Watcha Gone and Done” and “Jungle Nasty”, the latter of which has some rather excellent lyrics.

The Brutalists are not a band that are trying to capture or capitalise on their past, they are a fully-fledged gigging entity, complete with a really good album and a bright future. ****1/2

Review by Nikk Gunns

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)