REVIEW: JUSTINE AND THE UNCLEAN – HEARTACHES AND HOT PROBLEMS (2018)

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You probably wouldn’t want to be the poor unfortunate soul who told Justine Covault what to do.

There’s a moment, about 40 seconds into “Heartaches And Hot Problems” when she says: “now you’re feeling protective, I wish you a lot of luck…..”

And she doesn’t spit this out, she doesn’t even say it aggressively (actually “…..Problems” is a six tracker that throws its punches wrapped in a sugary glam rock glove) but there’s an inference, an attitude, a feeling if you like that says: you best walk away.

The next line is just as important. “This system is set to self-destruct” – the title of the track – and its clear that “this” system, is “their” system and Justine And The Unclean don’t play by anyone’s rules but their own.

One minute they sound like Cheap Trick – and the guitar work from Charles Hansen would have Rick Neilson purring – but they are just as likely to sound like a metal band. Or a punk one. Or a……well you get the picture.

Then there’s Covault herself. Her performance is stunning – and I am willing to bet that there ain’t a stage she can’t own.  She propels stuff like the insanely catchy power pop of “Heartache Knows Your Name” to somewhere different than many would. This means that for all that tracks like “Monosyllabic Man” have hints of The Knack, they are also heavier than others might do them. This is largely because the rhythm section of Janet Egan King – who also provides sweet harmony – and drummer Jim Janota is so crushing, they’d actually be happy in Kyuss and the like.

If you were looking for something that summed it all up in a neat two and a half minutes, then check out “Be Your Own Reason” an empowerment anthem that reminds me of those Runaways and Go-Go’s records I had as a kid.

The following tune is just as good in fairness. “Margaritas And Second Hand Smoke” comes in as glammed up and stomping as “I Love Rock N Roll” and there’s a sleazy side too: “I only wish I could remember his name” sings Covault and you can almost hear the smile.

Just when you think they couldn’t pack any more in, along comes “Love Doesn’t Know A Thing”. A big old ballad which casts Justine as the loser in a matter of the heart, as she mournfully puts it. “I know you go away with her, she shows me all the pictures.” Oddly she never sounds heartbroken in the way a guy would singing the line. Instead, she knows that its his loss. And that vibe has been on the record throughout.

A brilliant mini-album, EP, whatever you want to call it. “Heartaches And Hot Problems” is the work of a band that knows exactly what it wants. Justine And The Unclean pull it off with no problem at all.

Rating 9/10

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