The Heart Attacks

Take five young snotty punks from Atlanta Georgia; throw them under the wing of Lars Frederiksen and let the New York Dolls give them styling tips, and what you will have left is The Heart Attacks. With their debut album off Hell Cat Records, The Heart Attacks are bringing to you 30 minutes of whiskey-soaked youth recklessness, accompanied with an all star cast of guest vocalists. They were discovered by Tim Armstrong in a Warped Tour parking lot when he came across a “pirate bar” the band had set up out of the back of a 70’s bus. Mistaken as a gang, the band was quickly signed and with the help of Frederiksen, has produced one of the better RNR albums in my collection.

The album kicks off with a menacing street anthem that screams New York Dolls or the Stooges, and it has been a while when I can honestly say that it is done well. The album stays on the same page the entire way through with its mixture of 70’s rock and old school punk rock. Keeping the 70’s sounding riffs simple but still chockfull of rage and adding Chase’s throaty vocals gives the album an attitude that really defines the reaction of the listener.

The band has done an amazing job of creating an attitude that keeps you on your toes by switching up the mood and feel of each song while still keeping the same sound. “You Oughtta Know,” “Widowmaking,” and “Fast Times Attached” deliver a high energy gutter rock n roll sound, and with beating pianos and a saxophone “Eyes” comes off with an up beat 50’s rock tinge. Joan Jett makes an appearance on “Tearstained Letters” doing an amazing duet with Chase; both of their throaty voices really help this “punk rock do-wop” love song… completely bad ass!

One song that needs to be mentioned off this album is “Travelin’ Band.” Originally done by CCR, the band had an extremely difficult task of being a punk band and covering and old song. (We all remember the Me First and The Gimme Gimmes massacre of the late 90’s) It’s this raw talent, in tail with a “don’t give a fuck” attitude that pulls you in and keeps you wanting more. It almost makes me want to pull out my leather jacket from the closet, oh how I miss my high school days.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. You Oughtta Know By Now
02. Summer of Hate
03. Eyes
04. Travelin’ Band
05. Guilty
06. Widowmaking
07. Heart Attack
08. Fast Times Attached
09. Hellbound and Heartless
10. Tearstained Letters
11. Runnin’ With A Gang
12. City Sickness

Run Time: 39:14