Band : The Buckshots

Album title : 3 Jacks High

Label : Heptown

Distributor : Sonic Rendezvous (Evil Bitch 666 Promotion)

Release date : 02/05/2008

Release : CD

Yet another act from Heptown ...see also Astrolites and Nosey Joe & The Pool Kings ...so you already know what kinda music's in the barrel, eh? That's right, Rockabilly baby! The threesome of Jörgen Westman (formerly of Psychotic Youth , on lead vocals and guitar), Peter Brylde (ex- Rosie Flores & Hank Edwards , on the bass, most probably of the upright variety) and Gustaf (ex- Black Outs and Partisans , on drums) formed this band in the Spring of 2003, and the core of that line-up hasn't changed since. Preceeding to this one, they already have two albums out in 2005's self-titled debut (out on Enviken Records , which is a name that comes back for the second time now) and 2006's sophomore album Too Hot 2 Handle . On stage, they play the occasional cover, like Beast Of Bourbon 's "Ten Wheels For Jesus" , Johnny Cash 's "Cry Cry Cry" , and even a Ska version of "Great Balls Of Fire" ...but on album they play originals only!

The words used by the label: "...For the uninitiated, 3 Jacks High serves as the perfect Rockabilly primer that kicks off with "My Baby Drives Me Crazy" , a wild Rocker that surely will make people drive off the road. And then there's no slowing down. "A Fine Tuned Love Machine" lets Jerry Lee Lewis impersonator Thommy Borssén roll the keys like the mad man he is. "Bad Bad Boy" shows the red thread with its tingue-in-cheek lyrics and steady groove – a sure hit. And then the lovely Boogie stomper "Honey Bee" that would have made even Elvis jealous in his heydays. Gangsta Swing meets the Blues in "Duanes Blues" . Don't miss the kick-ass trumpet by Ulrik Hoglund . "Hail To Mr Ford" is a true anthem to Chevrolet owners and then we go nuts to "the Joint Is Jumpin' Wild" with its fine mix of hard Boogie and New Orleans brass. "Devil's Plan" takes on te band's favourite issue – bad women, and then we go below with "Down To Hell" – a dark track with a twang accompanied by the steel hands of Gunnar Frick ( Ray Davies Band ), just to throw you back to the Sun Studios and the year 1955 in "Sweet Misery" . And "I Can Touch The Moon" shows that Jörgen s songwriting skills are broad and gives a nice Cajun feeling to the track line-up. Then we Swing-a-Boogie to "True Love" , a true dance floor raver, followed by "Do The Boogie" , flavoured with some orgasmic wailing on the guitar. The album is rounded up with a lovely romantic duet between Jörgen and his wife Marie called "I Hope I'll See You Soon", backed up by the sweet saxophone of Torbjörn Stenson ..."!

The way I see it, there's three...nay foùr..."kinds" of songs the boys play. The first being those where the three of 'em suffice as musicians (the explosive Rocker and album opener "My Baby Drives Me Crazy ", "Devil's Plan" , the slide guitar infused Country/ Western tune "Down To Hell" , "Sweet Misery" – also with slide guitar but without Country influence, and the high-energy "Do The Boogie" ). Secondly, there's the songs which need the inclusion of a pianist ( "A Fine Tuned Love Machine" , "Honey Bee" , "Hail To Mr Ford" , and "I Can Touch The Moon" which also contains accordion). And then there's those which need a saxophone or trumpet player ( "Bad Bad Boy" , the calmer "Duanes Blues" , "Joint Is Jumpin Wild" , and "True Love" ). Finally, there's the album closer "I Hope I'll Meet You Soon" , which contains both piano and saxophone sounds, while also being a duet between Jörgen and his wife Marie . A dàrn beautiful slow danceable ballad if ever there was one!

Check out some of the songs at myspace.com/thebuckshotssweden, where both the album opener and closer were posted, as well as the dark "Down To Hell" . For samples of àll songs on the new album (as well as all of 'em off the sophomore album and 4 off the debut) you surf to the music section of the bans's website buckshots.net. The video section at same web address also provides you with 8 live shoots.

Live, The Buckshots are rumoured to be Sweden's best band in the genre, but on album they sure ain't bad either...certainly good for a very diverse trip into Retro Rock 'n' Roll on a hot Summer's evening...with a cool lemonade in my hand enjoying some of life's better moments!

85/100

Tony.