Review: Watts - Flash Of White Light

Boston rock greats, Watts, are one of those bands that I wish I had discovered a lot sooner than I did. They have a magnificent, hard rocking, garage band sound that many try to emulate, but few seem to perfect. The Watts have absolutely mastered the craft. This is a band that I want to listen to over and over and over again, and I regret not having had more time with them. However, I know I can make up for that by playing their latest disc, Flash Of White Light, on a constant loop for the next few weeks.

There really aren’t many weak spots on Flash Of White Light. And what is most ironic about this record is that the weakest material comes in the first two songs. Both the title track and “The Mess Is The Makeup” are decent songs, but really don’t compare with the rest of the album. From song number three (“Sidewinder”) to the end of the album (“Trick”) Watts hit a grand slam. Holy Hannah is this a terrific album!

“Flying Over With Bombs” takes me back to the music I loved in my early twenties. It is just a fun song with great riffs, exceptional hooks, and a rhythmic beat that screams “sing along with me as loud as you can.” This song oozes summer hit, and I really hope that more people have the opportunity to enjoy this song as much as I have.

“Sidewinder” leads the unbelievable charge of nine phenomenal songs in a row. This song is foot stomping, bar room, old school, down and dirty, gritty rock and roll at its best. Singer Dan Kopko growls out the lyrics in delectable fashion. John Blout’s guitar riffs crunch with delight and lend the perfect accompaniment to Kopko’s gravel vocals. The song pulls together as one of the best on the record. I dare you to play this track just once. You’ll be hitting repeat the second it ends.

And yet your desire to hit repeat will be dismayed once you hear the next track, “Wrapped Like Candy.” In a perfect display of placement, “Wrapped Like Candy” slows things down a bit. This mid-tempo delight is nothing short of astonishing. The guitar work is quick and clean, the beat is hypnotic and the fun factor is a full volume 10.

And that’s the beauty of Watts. They make fun music. It’s hard to remember the last time a band put out a record that was just fun. They strive to make every song a radio hit and make no apologies for it. And they shouldn’t, because Flash Of White Light contains some of the best music I have heard in a while. Watts are one of those bands that make you fall in love with music all over again. Flash Of White Light reminded me why I enjoy music in the first place. It’s the excitement of something so different and new that it has to be constantly played and everyone needs to know about it.

Flash Of White Light is reminiscent of simpler times. This is a record that takes you back to the great music of yesteryear, yet maintains its own sense of style. It is classic enough for old school rock, but modern enough to blow most of today’s bands off the charts. It’s just four guys making exceptional music. Every member of the band sings as well as they play their instruments and it is easy to see that all of them are having the time of their lives. If their studio music is this good, I can only imagine what their live shows must be like. Hopefully I will get the chance to find out soon.

Ryo’s Rating: 9 (Out of 10)

Track Listing

Flash Of White Light

The Mess Is The Makeup

Sidewinder

Wrapped Like Candy

Wasted Angels

Better (For A Girl Like You)

Rocks

Flying Over With Bombs

Ghosts On The Dancefloor

Northern Boys

Trick

You can purchase Flash Of White Light here:

http://kingyumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/flash-of-white-light-cd-koozie-combo

http://www.amazon.com/Flash-White-Light-Watts/dp/B00MTXAIH6

 

Want to know more about Watts?

https://www.facebook.com/wattsrock

https://twitter.com/watts_rock

 

Back To The Basics

I started this blog for one main reason---I wanted to capture a memoir of all the concerts I had ever attended. I still have every ticket stub for every show that I have ever been to, but I wanted to have some sort of detailed memory to go with those. Originally, I was going to keep a concert journal, something that I could look back on along with the ticket stub and remember the moments of the concerts that I attended. Then, while surfing the internet one day, I came across a website where the writer listed out all of the concerts he had attended and produced a little descriptive blurb about each show. It was comical and entertaining and made me want to share my concert memories as well. That thought and that website gave birth to The Rock And Roll Guru.

Over the years, The Guru has evolved, like any good site will. I started to post reviews of albums, news about my favorite bands, and segments on what’s to come. I wrote several opinion pieces, commentary about my love of music, and endless rants over the high price of concert tickets. Through it all I enjoyed the moments and continue to morph the site into what I felt was entertaining.

Now I have a desire to go back to what the original intent of the Rock And Roll Guru was---concert reviews. I’ve recently been going through my old concert reviews, reading the posts, and remembering little things about each concert that I have enjoyed. I haven’t posted a concert review on this site for more than three years. Part of that was because I took a little hiatus and part of it was because I was so busy providing new music and new music reviews. But now, I want to take a step back.

Over the next few months, expect to see a lot more concert reviews posted on The Rock And Roll Guru. I want to go through all of my past concerts and finish my review of each and every one. Even the ones that I can’t remember anything about, I still want to post some type of descriptive memoir from that show. And I also have three years of new concerts to write about as well as the shows I will be taking in this year. That’s a lot of reviewing to cover, but I am up for the challenge and I am going to have fun doing it.

Yes, I will still be posting reviews of new albums, songs from indie artists that I think you need to hear, and news of what’s coming up that I feel is important for everyone to know, but I want my main focus to be on concerts, at least for the next few months. So, if you love my concert reviews and enjoy knowing about the shows that I’ve attended, you are really going to be digging The Guru for the next few months. I will post the reviews and update the links in my concerts page. This is a journey that I am really looking forward to and I hope that you will strap in and join me for the ride.

NOME - Eagle

Here’s some electronic rock from the UK band NOME. The song is called “Eagle” and I am really enjoying it. Check it out for yourself and tell me if you enjoy it too!

NOME … you rock!

The Greatest Album Is...Highway To Hell

Every band that has been around for a while and released great records runs into this debate; what is their greatest album? The greatest album is…is a column dedicated to tackling that age old question. What is the greatest album recorded by AC/DC? Join with us now as the question is answered and arguments are made that the greatest AC/DC album is Highway To Hell.

It starts with one of the most recognizable riffs in rock and roll history. By the time the first notes to “Highway To Hell” are finished, every listener with ears knows what song is playing. It finishes with the very original, albeit highly controversial, “Night Prowler,” an exceptional song about a stalker, or a boy sneaking into his girlfriend’s room, depending on which report is accepted. And in between are eight hard rocking, heavy hitting, extremely delightful, rock and roll songs with absolutely no filler.

The last album that Bon Scott ever recorded with AC/DC was 1979’s Highway To Hell. It is also the best album that AC/DC ever released. In the spring of 1979, the band set out to record the follow up to Powerage. When those sessions finished, AC/DC had Bon Scott’s last recorded album and their finest work ever. Not one song on Highway To Hell should be skipped. Each one is a magnificent work of art in its own right.

Highway To Hell is a pure hard rock masterpiece. Filled with themes of sexual desires, hard rocking riffs that no guitarist can duplicate, and the entertaining, double entendre lyrics that the band has become famous for; this was AC/DC at their best. There is a sense of urgency in all of Angus Young’s leads, evident on sensational tracks like “Touch Too Much,” “Highway To Hell,” and “If You Want Blood (You Got It).” The lyrics maintain the typical AC/DC playful style of drinking, partying, loving women of all types, and playing rock and roll.

Highway To Hell also contains one of the most overlooked gems recorded by AC/DC---“Love Hungry Man.” This is a terrific song that many fans have simply forgotten exists. A romper stomper bar room brawl of a song, “Love Hungry Man” highlights Bon Scott at his most prodigious. The yowls were perfect, the energy in his voice was simply amazing, and Angus’ guitar solo on this magnum opus is one that leaves other guitarists in envy. Go ahead and re-listen to this song and then ask yourself why in the world the band doesn’t play this one in concert more often.

Highway To Hell vaulted AC/DC to the top ranks of hard rock acts. And while Let There Be Rock saw the creation of one of their signature live tracks, and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap had a much more blatant sexual overtone, it was Highway To Hell that saw AC/DC reigning as champions of rock. Their future was full moon bright, and if Bon Scott had lived on, who knows where the band would have ended up.

AC/DC still managed to make incredible records with Brian Johnson after Bon Scott passed away, but there has never been another record quite like Highway To Hell. Every song is a sing along anthem that can be enjoyed over and over and over again. Every note of music is a song unto itself. Every Bon Scott yowl is a joyous celebration of all things grand. Yes, Back In Black is an incredible album in its own right, and yes, a huge argument can be made that Back In Black is AC/DC’s best album, but Back In Black is more of a celebration of the AC/DC yet to come. Highway To Hell is a celebration of the AC/DC that was at that moment. And that AC/DC was a joyous romp of young lads hitting their stride and reaching their musical peak.

The greatest AC/DC album is…Highway To Hell

Vital Statistics

Released: July 27, 1979

Produced by Robert “Mutt” Lange

RIAA Sales: 7x Platinum

Peak Position on US Charts:  17

Ranked number 200 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 500 greatest albums of all time

Singles

Highway To Hell

Track Listing

Highway To Hell

Girls Got Rhythm

Walk All Over You

Touch Too Much

Beating Around The Bush

Shot Down In Flames

Get It Hot

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)

Love Hungry Man

Night Prowler

Band Members

Bon Scott – Vocals

Angus Young – Lead Guitar

Malcom Young – Rhythm Guitar

Cliff Williams – Bass Guitar

Phil Rudd – Drums