Review: The A.K.A.s (Are Everywhere)

akas
The A.K.A.s (Are Everywhere)
“White Doves and Smoking Guns”
(Fueled by Ramen)

Retro-ish rock ‘n’ roll seems to be everywhere nowadays, which can be a bit of a mixed blessing. Fortunately, mixed up in the mounds of albums from boring, rip-off-artists, there are a few good ones that can really get your booty moving.  This debut from the A.K.A.s is one of those-a solid rock album that though it obviously owes quite a bit to music of the past, sounds refreshingly modern.

Hints of The Murder City Devils (mostly because of tasteful keyboard licks by Nina Aron), The Hives, Mooney Suzuki, The Stooges and The Stones are sprinkled liberally throughout the disc, as are catchy guitar hooks and shout-along choruses.  The lyrics are decidedly political, but not in an overbearing, shoved-down-your-throat sort of a way.  It’s a tough call though-should I shake my ass or listen and contemplate?