Album Review:  Lucy and the Rats, Got Lucky  (Dirty Water Records)

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These Lucy and the Rats have come up with a perfectly packaged power pop minor classic. Don’t have a lot of information on them, but for the meantime jump around your living room (or bedroom) to this gem.

Lucy Ellis hails from Melbourne, the greatest city in Australasia and also where extraordinary musicians are continually appearing. Must be the water.

In 2000, she and twin sister had an all-girl trio called Spazzy, and put out perfect Ramones styled songs which got them some good attention.

Lucy came to London town the last couple of years, and by some mix of alchemy, luck, hard work and synchronicity the Rats appeared.

Joe, Manu and Mike. That’s enough for now. Their playing does all the talking.

Immediately they sound like classic early period Blondie. But like that group, a lot of American and UK trash culture is in the mix. The Girl Group sound. The Shangri-La’s. Sixties Garage Rock. Punk in 1977.

September opens the assault and is also the single. Chiming guitars kick off a descending melody, and then rev up into a brash sunny tune.

Lucy sings with a bright melodic, often double-tracked voice. Harsher punk influences are kept to a minimum.

The three guys keep everything moving with music bristling with hooks and a remarkably varied palettes of styles.

Real Thing starts with a Ramones riff, but then has a classic Girl Group vocal.

Pinch Myself is a nod to Punk with a more aggressive Slits-like vocal and music which sounds like the Only One’s Another Girl, Another Planet.

There is a great sense of humour here. Like Lucky. An acoustic guitar plays for a change.

I made a deal with the devil/ I played heavy metal/ I made a bet with the King/ That he had to give me everything/ Feel young when I’m pretty old/ I ripped my jeans/ Now they look better/ Now they match my sweater.

On TV we have a classic Girl Group sound, with chiming guitars and prominent drum sound. The ringing bells of Phil Spector.

Jelly Baby Baby picks up on the tradition of candy as sexual metaphor.

I can chew on you all night long. My Boy Lollipop. Chewy Chewy. Sugar Sugar. Honey Honey.

I’ll call this for what it is and say it’s a great retro album. Packed full of a surprising number of hooks, but with a lightness of touch and a great sense of humour.

Postscript: Do yourself a big favour Ramones addicts, and search out two Spazzy singles, Paco Doesn’t Love Me and The Sunshine Drive. They’re on Spotify. You’re welcome.

Rev Orange Peel

Rev Orange Peel
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