Written by Marty Dodge

I have to admit to liking this release from the first spin. It just has all the right elements for a dose of whiskey-fueled hard rock from the West Coast. Interestingly enough rather than ape Guns n Roses, as so often happens, this band has more of a LA Guns feel to it. Yes, one could argue that I am being a pedant, but there is clearly less of a polished feel to it all.

At other times the band sound quite a bit like Velvet Revolver with all that it entails. Joetown do their best to bring together 80s LA sleaze and the angst fueled attitude of modern heavy rock. This blues fueled heavy rock hits all the right notes and does what it does oh so well. Whether it’s the cracking opener of "Hole in My Soul" to gruff "My Anger Knows no Bounds" this is just quality rock & roll.

There is not one turkey in this lot. While it might not be as ground-breaking as some debuts, this is one of the best albums from a band you have never heard of.  And you know what comes next... they should be huge. Let's hope that Joetown get the break they are owed.

I haven’t been this happy listening to a new CD since the debut album from The Answer. You owe to yourself to seek this sucker out. Hell, I even love the logo.