Simon RushworthSweet Electric — Something Something Disco (Self Released)
Aussie energy meets German efficiency.
Or something like that.
Or Something Something Disco like that.
Sweet Electric might have landed on a bizarre album title that leaves much to the imagination (maybe that’s the plan) but the good news is this is trademark Brad Marr.
Funny, fiery, fabulous stuff.
Party rock that never lets up.
And a bunch of songs that will sound even better live than they do on purple vinyl (our splendid variant of choice).
Marr might be the former Massive frontman (our press release suggests that band’s now on permanent hiatus rather than taking an extended break).
But he’s still a huge presence on the rock scene as a singer, songwriter, manager, promoter, festival boss and more.
Of all the hats Brad wears — and the bloke’s got a few — his sombrero says it best of all.
Stylishly modelled for the gloriously unhinged Mexico video, it perfectly sums up the carefree, colourful and occasionally chaotic combo that are Sweet Electric.
Or so it would seem.
Beneath the flippant façade (and the four piece don’t always dress up as Latino hearthrobs) lurks something altogether more cerebral.
There are some seriously affecting messages — Marr’s a master wordsmith — at the heart of Something Something Disco and it’s not always as silly as it sounds.
But it can be if you want it to be. Or something like that.
Sweet Electric’s Psycho babble?
First off let’s address the elephant in the room.
Sweet Electric does death metal?
Say it ain’t so.
Well, it’s true. Angry set closer Psycho features some frankly horrible grunting, growling and screaming.
But let’s move on.
Elsewhere this is familiar territory for those of us who’ve religiously followed Brad — like some latter-day Jesus — for the last decade.
Lyrics that leave a lasting impression, riffs that do, in fact, sound like they belong in a rock and roll disco and a sense of creative freedom that’s incredibly uplifting.
Status Quo meets The Proclaimers on the jaunty Somewhere In The Middle.
Pseudo ballad I Remember You (not a cover of the Skid Row classic) leans on a biting AC/DC-styled riff.
And the hell-for-leather Hillbilly bedlam that is Get Up goes the extra mile for those who might be wallowing in a pit of self-loathing.
But if you’re really looking for a shot in the arm then skip straight to These Guns.
If Sweet Electric even think about omitting this explosive anthem from their sets supporting The Lazys and Hayseed Dixie then our love affair with the mighty Marr ends there.
They wouldn’t be so stupid. Would they?
These Guns is Sweet Electric’s silver bullet. It might even be the best thing wor Brad’s ever written.
