Search - Rocket 350 :: American Grease

Rockabilly In Your Face

F. Hagan | Raleigh, North Carolina, USA | 09/14/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

""American Grease" is a slick looking rockabilly CD. The classic pink car with the frightening rocket power and a smooth sailing fin may be just the right image for this Athens, Georgia threesome known as Rocket 350. They are energy, in your face antics, and they are loud. Unlike many bands with this cover image, they don't suffer from the dreaded all our songs sound the same disease. They are certainly an acquired taste. No dulcet tones and clear, easy ballads to be found here. Without having ever seen this band perform, I can certainly imagine wild stage antics.
The most appealing tracks are their rockabilly driving songs, "That's Life" being the standout and "All Night Long" having a catchy fast-paced sing-a-long riff. "Wray Street" and "Six-Gun" show this band's Dick Dale influence, the former being an excellent surf guitar instrumental, and the latter being a cowboy song with raging guitar that the King of the Surf Guitar would certainly be proud of. There is some nostalgic appeal in the two 50's style jukebox, diner, slow dance songs, that are titled "She's Gone" and "Lonely Rock N' Roll Nights." Despite the mood shift of these pieces, it is impossible for the band's rambunctious, eager energy not to come creeping through ("She's Gone" is the best of the two songs). There is an unlisted bonus track at the end of the CD that tries for an old-fashioned microphone recorded sound with interesting lyrics. There is an overall balanced presentation to the musical layout of "American Grease." The musical skill of the performers is clearly tempered with there drive for powerful excitement.
Dancers will find slim picking on this CD. There are only three swing friendly selections, and theses songs being danceable is only an accident of the arrangements. This is an unapologetic loud rockabilly band, and the majority of the music bears this is mind. Phil Stair is the lead singer and guitarist, and while clearly talented, projects a sound that makes one wonder what Elvis would sound like if he had suddenly discovered punk rock. This is clearly underlined in hardcore rockabilly songs like "Voo Doo" and "Seven Days."
Fans of rockabilly who like frantic energy and an Elvis slur sang in a volume more reminiscent of the Big Bopper will enjoy this album immensely. Dance only consumers might want to pass on this one. If swinging rockabilly isn't your only review worthy criteria, check it out for the great surf guitar riffs and the first class driving songs, but be warned, rocket powered antics tend to shake the car at high speeds."