THE BLACK LIGHTS
Rock Awesome
Review by: ~ Rana

Dear Bands That Shall Remain Nameless,

I apologize for saying this, but I’ve never gotten to do a review that I’ve looked forward to-until now. I’ve been waiting for the first whiffs of The Black Lights debut “Rock Awesome” foreva! I’ve been a huge and instant fan from the time guitarist Cal Bowes sent me the sweetest and most polite email on MySpace that I’ve received thus far. Again bands, I apologize for admitting this, but ninety nine percent of the time, with your onslaught of messages like “hey, check us out, we’re awesome” I never even look at your profiles because I know you’re not going to surprise or endear me. I, being an upright and tight lady, attempt to save myself for the best and most promising talent out there-something different-something I know can go the distance and be heard. I’ve found that in The Black Lights. They sparkle, although they’d hate to hear me say that since they’ve got their manly pride and incredible mutton chops. These guys are like shiny diamonds in a sea of cubic zirconia. I instantly loved them and have been impatient for them to record ever since. And they did, and they lovingly sent me the masters early, just for fun. Seriously, I almost came in me strides when I got this.

This debut is bold, balls out, and so much fun. I crave their live show, but as they live in Edinburgh, Scotland, no dice for a while. Dammit. They have a huge following in their home territory; their T Shirts stretch over many a tit. They are heavy and pushy shuddup in ya face honest Rock N’ Roll-the likes of which I haven’t heard in a long fucking time. I’m sick of the melodramatics and horrid screaming. You won’t find any thirty second performances here-or gay pink Mohawks*coughJaredLetocough*. James McCulloch’s voice is the coolest of cool. Their bottom line is out front and slightly abrasive, like a man in the morning before a shave. Sweet sauce. Guitars are full frontal nudity. Yeah, I’m a woman, sorry about my constant allusions to sex but I can’t help it. This band IS the sex. Like the good old days, but without the coke and heroin habits. My very favorite tracks on this release are “In the City,” “Heartbreaker,” “Survivor,” “Headfuck,” I fucking LOVE that song. Aah. I bite my lip with that one and "Heartbreaker" too. “Season of the Bitch” was the first of their tracks that I heard, the one that made me fall in love, ‘cause I’m a bitch. Finally, "Money" rounds it out. I just basically gave the whole track list because I can’t decide. Seriously, pick this up. It will be out in August. The members (theirs and yours) will appreciate it. It will be available on iTunes and through their Facebook and MySpace profiles. And wait for it: I’ll be following up with another interview soon. And boys, as I told you before: my iTunes is post coital and smoking. I love ya!

James McCulloch - Throat
Steven Nicol - Guitar, Auxiliary Throat
Cal Bowes - Guitar, Occasional Throat
Greig Nicol - Bass
Stuart Penketh – Drums

www.myspace.com/theblacklightsrock