Gentlemans Pistols – “Hustler’s Row” [Album Review]

Hard-hitting quartet Gentlemans Pistols are (unsurprisingly) from England, the northern city of Leeds to be exact, and they make the kind of no-nonsense retro rock firmly rooted in the early 1970s, while still sounding modern, that greatly appeals to me.

Hustler’s Row is the band’s third LP and their first since 2011’s At Her Majesty’s Pleasure. It begins explosively with “The Searcher,” a fiery number that wouldn’t sound out of place on an early Zeppelin album.

“Devil’s Advocate on Call” is not quite as good, coming more from the poppier, “glam” end of the ’70s rock/boogie spectrum. Much better is the outstanding “Private Rendezvous,” another showcase for vocalist James Atkinson’s talents. The guitar solos, courtesy of the very experienced Bill Steer, are pretty damn good too.

The emotive, slowed down, almost mystical, groove of “Stress & Confusion” is another highlight, as are “Coz of You” and the title track, another tune that gloriously recalls Led Zeppelin at their finest.

Although there are a few songs here that, for me, don’t quite “cut it,” Gentlemans Pistols are a great band who unashamedly update the rock of the past, delivering it with the vigour and swagger I believe it deserves. It’s certainly safe to say that when these guys are good, they are really good.

Track Listing:

01. The Searcher
02. Devil’s Advocate On Call
03. Time Wasters
04. Private Rendezvous
05. Stress And Confusion
06. Personal Fantasy Wonderland
07. Lady Teaser
08. Dazzle Drizzler
09. Coz Of You
10. Hustler’s Row

Run Time: 43:30
Release Date: October 16, 2015

Check out the song “The Searcher” here.