File under “better today than back when”. There are a few bands in that category but not many. Swedish rockers Electric Boys are definitely one of those. Which kind of speak volumes considering just how damn good their three albums (four if you count both versions of the debut album Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride (1989/1990)) were before the split back in 1994. The reunion album …And Them Boys Done Swang from 2011 showed the original line-up releasing their best album to date but I still hold the follow-up Starflight United (2014) their finest moment so far. Today original members Franco Santunione (guitar) and Niclas Sigevall (drums) are both gone from the band. Jolle Atlagic joined in 2015 as a drummer besides Sigevall (who left for good in 2020) and Martin Thomander, who was in the last line-up of the band in the 90’s rejoined in 2020 when Santunione quit.
Electric Boys two latest records The Ghost Ward Diaries (2018) and Upside Down (2021) were both stellar efforts and showed a band moving more towards 70’s based Classic Rock with the funky elements, that actually were the band’s trademark back when, taking more and more a background place. However, that mattered little to nothing as the band knows their way around a killer track and a contagious groove which in turn means that every time this lot releases a new record expectations always go through the roof, at least for me. As a matter a fact, that the band isn’t bigger than they are is actually quite annoying – and a damn mystery!
Said Funk is back with a vengeance in the majestic opener and latest single party-rocker “When Life Treats You Funky” where the band takes a look back to the good ole days without going on repeat. It’s a rumbling groove-fest with a firey riff and a beat so infectious no medicine will cure it. The main-melody is highly hooky and the chorus is total knock-out. If this doesn’t make you smile and makes you move you’re a hopeless case. It’s phenomenal. Not as funky but easily as groovy is the Aerosmith spiced rocker “Better Safe Than Sober” (love the title) that holds a riff and a rhythm so swinging it’ll kick you right into next week. It’s a driving rocker with a Led Zep flirting beat, quite heavy at times and a pop-driven hook in the chorus. Pure brilliance.
Leading single “I’ve Got A Feeling” is an uplifting and positive rocker carried by a stompy beat and a crunchy riff with prominent pop-hooks everywhere. The verse gets going with a big Classic Rock vibe and we get both bluesy and funky elements on a steady and beefy beat but the chorus slows the tempo down a bit and throws a poppy melody our way complete with a big summer vibe and there is a late 80’s radio-friendly vibe over it – catchy as can be. It’s a magnificent track that deserves to be a major hit. “And The Band Played On (pt 1)” strikes with a chunky groove an edgy Classic Rock riff 70’s style and also includes a banjo which gives it a bit of Southern Rock twist. It’s a mid-paced tune with an intense groove and some funky touches with a distinct refrain that’s massive. Terrific.
Second single “Domestic Blitz” is an uptempo, upbeat and in-your-face groover that throws both 70’s and 80’s Classic Rock in a blender. It’s a lively number that sure kicks up some dust along the way. The band fires on all cylinders here with a rougher outlook but still shitloads of highly memorable melodies and a chorus that takes us back to the Groovus Maximus (1992) days. Absolutely brilliant. “Karma’s Gonna Get You” holds a classic Electric Boys riff and the same goes for the massively rhythmic groove. It’s a sleazy number, rowdy and miscellaneous – meant in a good way of course – and made for the stage with another bullseye refrain. Awesome!
The band takes a bit of a left-turn with the upbeat pop-rocker “Missed Her By A Minute”. A piano blends with both acoustic and clean electric guitars and takes the foundation of 70’s Classic Rock and carries it into a melody arrangement of AOR/Melodic Rock 0f the first half of the 80’s. It’s an uptempo number with calmer verses that builds up into a smoother, almost slick refrain which brings on a mastodon pop-hook with an almost insane catchiness. A brave and unexpected move. This is magnificent. The upbeat and raunchy groover “Learjet” is one live-friendly mutha that brings on an in-your-face riff and a fat beat mixed with hand-claps, a 70’s Glam Rock vibe and some power-pop, almost Cheap Trick-ish melodies – and it’s catchy as hell. Fantastic.
“Cozmic Jagger” takes the band back into classic Electric Boys style where the Funk is back big-time. The main-riff is 70’s Classic Rock with an Aerosmith-ish vibe and a crunchy Rolling Stones vibe here and there. It’s a song that could groove anybody into dizziness with big hooks and a chorus to die for. Again, damn brilliant. On a fast track “The Great Believer” is a straight ahead 70’s hard-rocker, quite punchy and rough-edged but also melodic with a distinct main-melody. It holds a bluesy edge with a rhythmic boogie-rock drive, hard-hitting and rowdy with attitude and a neat kick-ass refrain. Good one. The album closes with “And The Band Played On (Pt 2)”, a slower piece with a dreamy flow that works more as an outtro to say good bye for now.
To sum this up in short, this album is easily one of Electric Boys’ finest efforts to date and for me personally, a tie on the # 1 spot together with Starflight United. It’s a no bull, steady Classic Rock album where the band brings in influences from everywhere and takes some turns I never heard them do before – which makes it an interesting and unpredictable listen – all the while sounding just like an Electric Boys record. It’s an all killer, no filler record by one of the best bands within the Classic Rock genre right now. If you already love the band then this is a must and if you don’t, well, this album could actually be for you as well. I’m impressed – and quite floored.
9/10
More Electric Boys reviews:
…And Them Boys Done Swang
Starflight United
The Ghost Ward Diaries
Upside Down
Tracklist:
1. When Life Treats You Funky
2. Better Safe Than Sober
3. I’ve Got A Feelin’
4. And The Band Played On (Part 1)
5. Domestic Blitz
6. Karma’s Gonna Get You
7. Missed Her By A Minute
8. Learjet
9. Cozmic Jagger
10. The Great Believer
11. And The Band Played On (Part 2)
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