Thrum - Elettrorama
by Anthony Strutt
published: 30 / 6 / 2011
Label:
PRA Records
Format: CD
intro
Perfect second album and first release in seventeen years for Glasgow-based Americana act, Thrum
‘Elettrorama’ is Thrum’s first album since their 1994 debut, ‘Rifferama’. It opens with ‘The Exciter’, which is 5m 18 seconds of pure Americana brilliance that just happens to come from Glasgow. It starts with loud drums and a killer bass line, before fine guitar joins in. Monica Queen's sweet vocal has a southern charm to it, and is calming and self-confessional. This is full on rock ‘n' roll that really kicks in at the half way mark and recalls Crazy Horse at their best. ‘Slower’ sounds like a fast Teenage Fanclub, Monica's vocal keeping up the pace. ‘Johnny’ is a gritty song of big riffs and big drums. The vocal is full of life and confidence. ‘Precious’ is much more confessional. The guitars sound like a slow Nirvana, while Monica here sounds like Miss Love in her vocal delivery. ‘High Wire’ has a more traditional Thrum sound, sounding like a female fronted Crazy Horse which is fine by me. ‘ Alpha 1’ is a fiery head banging Americana beast of a number, while ‘Dark Heart’ sounds like a fast Icicle Works doing Neil Young. ‘Summer Sail’ is another explosive Crazy Horse number, while ‘Oil My Feet, is much slower and acoustic-based, a Sunday chiller of a track. ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ is a cover of the old Ike and Tina Turner number which is done justice. ‘Banish the Devil’ ends the album and, at over ten minutes long, is a slow burner full of charm, a song to rock your heart too on this perfect return to form.
Track Listing:-
1 The Exciter2 Slower
3 Johnny What's the Use
4 Precious
5 High Wire
6 Alpha 1
7 Dark Heart
8 Summer Sail
9 Oil My Feet
10 River Deep
11 Banish the Devil
interviews |
|
Interview (2011) |
|
| Glaswegian solo artist Monica Queen talks to Anthony Strutt at a gig in London about her country band Thrum's second album and first since release in seventeen years |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesPhilip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Bill Wyman - Drive My Car
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Deep Purple - =1
Popstar - Obscene
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart