REVIEW: FAZ WALTZ – REBEL KICKS (2020)

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“Not even corona virus is going to stop Faz Waltz from releasing their 7th album “Rebel Kicks”. Explains the press release that adorned it when it arrived in the MV inbox the other day.

Maybe, that’s because, just like Twisted Sister said: “You Can’t Stop Rock N Roll.”

And bless them, “Rebel Kicks” might be exactly the tonic you need right now, because this is absolutely carefree. If you can listen to the piano led intro of the title track without a smile on your face, then you are a hard hearted bastard and this record isn’t for you.

If, however, you are first in awe of the words: “faster than a bullet on a motorbike, gonna make a bang like dynamite”, then singing the chorus: “Nothing’s gonna stop us now,  nothing’s gonna bring us down,” the second time you hear it, then come right in, Faz Waltz welcome you.

The solo’s, man, they are slow low slung, I am telling you right now, that Faz La Rocca will not have his guitar above his ankles, and that makes these 11 songs special.

Ok, so you can listen to “Grown Up Guy” and almost hear the fact that its Cheap Trick jamming with Bowie, but do you care? Nope, neither do the boys in FW either.

Before Coronavirus paused the world, I was at a gig talking to a mate of mine who had been to one of these indoor festivals a week before. “I’ll tell you who I really enjoyed,” he said. “The Sweet.” In which case I refer him to “Got Me Going” here, and its sugary harmonies.

Best of all, though, perhaps, is “Broken Teeth”, swaggering like prime Mott The Hoople, it helpfully suggests “broken teeth, but I am still ready to smile”  – and that lead lick, its infectious (that word is still a good thing in music, promise).

“Rock N Roll is tough” they sing, over something that sounds a bit like T Rex, but they aren’t fooling anyone, and even the Beatles-ish ballad “Do You Remember” sounds more like The Ramones slowed down, really.

“Fighting On The Dancefloor” is so timeless Elton John probably sold millions with it in the 70s. I am joking, of course, but there’s a number here that sound like they should be covers. They might be, I haven’t looked because I couldn’t care less if they are. “Last Train To Nowhere” has the spirit of Chuck Berry, and you kind of hope the drivers name is Johnny Goode – in fact I’ve decided it is, so that’s that.

“Born In The Wrong Time” could have been reflective and introspective. Thankfully it isn’t. It’s the work of fans of this music, who are gifted with the ability to play it brilliantly, a fact they recognise on the only “proper” ballad here. The Enuff Z’nuff-ish “Heroes And Ghosts.”

“Is It Love” couldn’t be more Glam Rock if it was being sung by Alvin Stardust in massive platform shoes, and yeah it is. You can’t not love it, honestly.

Rock n roll should be escapism, sometimes. Sometimes you need it to be. This is one of those times, and “Rebel Kicks” is one of those albums.

Call this your sugar coated pill to forget your troubles and the world outside for 33 minutes. And for that we should all thank Faz Waltz.

Let’s dance.

Rating 9/10

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