Artist: The Del-Lords Album: Elvis Club Bitrate: 254kbps avg Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz Label: Blue Rose Records Genre: Rock Size: 100.25 megs PlayTime: 0h 52min 18sec total Rip Date: 2013-06-07 Store Date: 2013-06-14 Track List: -------- 01. When The Drugs Kick In 4:17 02. Princess 3:48 03. Chicks, Man! 3:47 04. Flying 5:15 05. All My Life 5:20 06. Everyday 3:23 07. Me And The Lord Blues 3:50 08. Letter (Unmailed) 4:05 09. Damaged 3:52 10. You Can Make A Mistake One Time 4:54 11. Silverlake 3:52 12. Southern Pacific 5:55 Release Notes: -------- While I didnÆt know it at the time, between 1984 and 1990 The Del-Lords were issuing albums that gained some attention in New York roots rock circles and on the East Coast club circuit. I was only aware of Scott ôTop Tenö Kempner as he had been a member of the proto-punk Dictators as I had a promo copy of their 1975 The Dictators Go Girl Crazy! If memory serves, their first song proclaimed ôIÆm the next big thing!ö I thought that was an indication of the bandÆs humor. Of course, a ôbig thingö they werenÆt, although Dictators alumni went to Twisted Sister and The Fleshtones. Likewise, after singer/guitarist and songwriter Kempner spread his wings and departed The Dictators, he hooked up with singer/guitarist Eric Ambel (a founding member of Joan JettÆs Blackhearts), drummer Frank Funaro, and bassist Manny Caiati to become The Del-Lords. Then and now, I never heard a note of what they produced back then. This year, a genial publicist sent me a copy of Elvis Club, The Del-Lords first album in over 20 years. Now joined by new bassist Michael DuClos, the word is the album sounds very much like their Æ80s output. I canÆt attest to that, so I can say I popped in the disc with no preconceived notions as to what IÆd hear. In short order, I began thinking perhaps rock and roll really will never die. In some ways, Elvis Club is a Scott Kempner show. He wrote eight of the songs and contributed to two others. One of these, ôEvery Day,ö was penned with the legendary Dion. Kempner provided lead vocals for most of the 12 tracks while Ambel sang lead on three numbers, ôMe and the Lord Blues,ö ôFlying,ö and Neil YoungÆs ôSouthern Pacific.ö In the case of the latter, youÆll not only hear a spot-on impersonation of Mr. Young, but a serious workout for drummer Funaro. Ambel also produced the disc in his home studio and played all the leads. Right from the get-go, songs like ôWhen the Drugs Kick Inö and ôChicks, Man!ö signal Kempner still has a musical sense of humor. Right off the bat, itÆs also clear this is one tight outfit. From time to time, you might think The Eaglesùwhen they werenÆt taking it easyùor The Heartbreakers. I suspect many will think Commander CodyÆs ôHot Rod Lincolnö when they hear the fast-paced ôChicks, Man!ö Equally rockabilly is the tongue-in-cheek ôDamaged.ö Since weÆre damaged, The Del-Lords sing, letÆs fall in love. Not everything is straight-ahead fun. While they never exactly get poignant, The Del-Lords verge on the reflective side with songs like ôMake a Mistake,ö ôSilverlake,ö and ôMe & the Lord Blues.ö The devil may tell us thereÆs no such thing as true love, but the ôdevil is a liar.ö True, not every track is a gem. But in the main, there are enough rockinÆ good times here to pump up any party and be an ideal soundtrack for any road trip. IÆve used this line before, but itÆs appropriate hereùif this collection doesnÆt put you in a good mood, you probably donÆt deserve one. The reborn Del-Lords, like The Dictators, arenÆt likely to be the next big thing. Nonetheless, new fans and old will be craving more of a very good thing indeed.