Seeing as the Mojo Kings are asking the question it would only be polite for me to reply with an honest answer. Fuck all happened to rock 'n' roll, it's in rude health and there is an underbelly in the UK where you don't have to scratch the itch too hard and a bloody good band will pop out. You can add the Mojo Kings to that bulging list on the evidence of this mighty fine collection of songs, both originals and covers, brandishing a sound that marries psychobilly, with its stand up bass pound and vocal style, to a raw, bitching punk rock 'n' roll guitar and some rock solid tight drumming.

Sure the influences from the 50s are evident but they have twisted the melon with a spike of punk rock and done a very impressive job in marrying the two styles. It's not about just sounding cool because these cats have arranged some pretty nifty tunes for our listening pleasure. 'Hurricane' sounds exactly like one blowing through the speakers with some impressive guitar slinging. Perhaps there is a small part of The Living End in here for obvious comparisons but this is more punk to the Living End's hard rock.

It's safe to say these boys would have one or two Brian Setzer records in the collection as well but that's a compliment not a criticism. 'Chet Head' has some wonderful riffing and bass slapping and from someone who ordinarily dislikes instrumentals this is very listenable stuff indeed and retained my attention to the bitter end.

All in all a very impressive and enjoyable release; 'I'd Like To See You Naked', 'I'm A Red Blooded Boy'....the list could go on but fuck it, there are too many good songs here to pick out one or two and I'd wager that played live these songs would kick up a proper naughty shitstorm. It's definitely something a little different and the playing is exceptional as is the songwriting, also top notch. The only down side is three covers. Not that they're bad, in fact one is positively banging, but 'Paint It Black' (been covered a million times and maybe there are other Stones songs to cover, however this is one of the better versions in fairness), 'Teenage Kicks' is given a retro kick up the arse but was it needed here? However the version of the Fabulous Wailers' 'Dirty Robber' is absolutely bitchin'; okay, so there's no honkin' horns here but that's fine because this is a blistering version of a great song (great choice, much more like it).

I expect to hear more from these boys in the future and would definitely recommend them to you good people out in Uber Rock cyberspace. When you're in the rock 'n' roll business and you manage to both rock and roll then the job's a good 'un and Mojo Kings do it with consummate ease. Nice one.

 www.mojokings.com