Album review: THE BRUTALISTS

THE BRUTALISTS

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.

Next session: Sunday 19 January


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 1 December 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 3 December 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 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply