The Quireboys - A Bit Of What You Fancy (1990)

Also known as the London Quireboys - these bar-room British brawlers were criticised for their brand of pub rock, mainly due to the fact that much of what they constructed was completely derivative, and yet somehow charming. Fronted by a Geordie named Spike, The Quireboys were simply the bastard offspring of the Faces, Mott The Hoople and goodness knows how many other drunken British bands. Spike was every bit the Rod Stewart rip-off with those gravelly vocals and with the twanging guitar, honky-tonk piano and songs of love and loss, it was all very archetypical but beneath the grit and grime there were a handful of decent tracks, such as the party stomper '7 o'clock' and minor hit 'Hey You.' The band also displayed their subtle, albeit boozy bluesy side with the wafting 'I Don't Love You Anymore' although for the most part this was very much an upbeat rock n' roll experience boasting the sort of songs and style that Black Crowes and the likes tried their luck at, and bizarrely succeeded. Certainly more rewarding than a whole host of US sleaze bands, this had a more authentic feel due to the down to earth nature of the band members, and although a little light in places it's the sort of album that acts well as a hangover soundtrack. For similar boozy rambling check out Dogs D'Amour.
7/10