Search - Dead 60s :: Dead 60s

2 LP set. Although the Dead 60s seem intent--in name and in approach--on burying the decade that belonged to fellow Liverpudlians the Beatles, they turn to another decade and style for inspiration: the punk and post-punk of the 1970s. Edgy, intense, and deeply indebted to ska, dub, and the reggae-punk amalgams pioneered by bands like the Clash, the Jam, and the Specials, the Dead 60s bring their own flavor to the revival-mad 2000s. While peers mine early '80s dance beats and slicing, Gang of Four-style guitars (though there is fair bit of that here too), the Dead '60s turn to the political and musical twin subcultures of '70s England. The band's rhythmic architecture is spot on: drums keep tight, in-the-pocket rhythms ticking behind loose, bouncing bass, and chk-chking guitars on the two and four. The instrumental formula is straight from Kingston, but the overall energy and passionate, accent-inflected singing is straight British punk. The album favors dub-style tempos ('Control This' & 'We Get Low'), but there are also moments of downright dance ability, such as 'Red Light', which comes complete with a bobbling bass line and a handclap track. The choice of source material is understandable: this was a great sound, and the Dead '60s resuscitate it with talent and conviction. Sony. 2005.