Mallethead - Yeah Yeah Yeah (1990)

What a cool little record this was (this being the band's second offering) - featuring ex members of Gang Green - Mallethead give away nothing when one looks at their album covers. History would suggest this could well be some crossover thrash/hardcore band but far from it - this is decent rock 'n' roll, quality metal that somehow manages to combine the swagger of early Cult (Keating's vocals at times have a hint of Astbury) with a refreshing and slightly raw straight down the line rock. Hard to categorise even though it doesn't attempt to be unusual, 'Yeah Yeah' is just quality, almost soulful rock with a mid tempo riff and sdoaring chorus whilst 'Give Or take' is catchy as hell, and 'Straight Down The Line' once again brings The Cult and even a harsher Danzig to mind. There's something addictive about this band and their no bullshit attitude, and there are some big grooves on offer, no fancy production just very good songs. Pleasantly surprised. 7.5/10