Band : Alex Carole & The Crush
Album Title : Vol 1
Label : Transubstans
Distributor : Clearspot
Release Date : 2011
Review : CD

Perhaps the best way to describe the sound of Alex Carole & The Crush is to imagine The Quireboys if they were heavily T-Rex-influenced. If you can imagine that sound, and if you think you'd like it, then this bunch of partyboozers might be right up your alley.

It's not as slick and as commercial as Aerosmith or Hanoi Rocks 80s stuff, but it's got that vibe to it, that vibe that is more about the power of fun than the power of rage. Simple rhythmwork plays a supporting role only, allowing the guitar to take centre stage where no less than Patches fills the spot.. “High school stuff” kicks the album off but it's “Hard to get”, “And know about me”and “Will I get it” that puts the album in motion. Sometimes the music here seems to drag on and certain lyrics are often repeated over and over again and all that does get a bit annoying. Yeah, there are a couple of slow tunes that come close to being clunkers, but they pass by painlessly enough.

Don't get me wrong, this is far from being crappy music. Everything is oh-so- 'look at me I am in love with myself' without anything that sticks out from the rest. Easy, go-with-the-flow glamarola music, with some garage and soul influences. Otherwise, a bit too safe, too soft, and, dare I say, crushless!

75/100

Cosmicmasseur.