So, my friends, got a brand spanking new one here, a handsomely dishevelled bunch of brooders, part Canadian and other parts from er, round these parts. Jo-Jo and The Teeth explode into your brain with glitz and glamour, an art they have mastered beautifully and one that you can have for keeps in the form of ‘No More Good News’ their debut release.
Leader of this pack is Jo-Jo O’ Donoghue, a snarly, gnarly, strutter, complete with a groovy selection of kinky boots – I’d say they need their own introduction- who oozes all the punky, grungy charm of Brody Dalle, an inspiring screen presence, daring you to lock horns with her. The bevy of beauties shimmers with Rylan Woods – guitar, Keir Hicks- lead guitar, Max Battista – bass and Andy Barker on drums. The title track tells of ‘no more songs worth singing, no more hearts worth breaking’ a sign of the destructive times we have lived through and the resurrection we are now facing.
Each track has an absorbing quality; the musicality of ‘We’re Just Animals’ would sit very nicely in the Rocky Horror soundtrack. The bluesy essence of ‘Moonchild’ – I though it was a Fields Of The Nephilim cover at first- is passionate and swoonsome. The ‘stomp yourselves silly’ sensations of ‘Lungs’ is a winner, we all know what it feels like to sing until we’re fit to burst so ‘won’t you lend me your lungs’ will have you falling head over heels.
The video for the single Don’t Get Too Heavy’ is a fantastic watch, the song is laden with grooves and licks to fill your boots with , or Jo-Jo’s boots for that matter. A supremely catchy chorus, engaging and stylish. Glam rock gets a reboot -ahem- still that lovable old rogue at heart, but with added angst, ire and desire, and a slow burn character to the albums more intimate moments.
It’s lights down low for the grand finale with ‘Oh Brother’ a nostalgic look at relationships and what they mean, and how we all have different memories, there is a zephyr-like wistful aspect that is comforting, the vocals now softer, yet still retaining that trademark snarly goodness.
‘If we all keep running, who’s gonna fight them off’ wise words from our new found best friends.
Azra Pathan
Jo-Jo And The Teeth – No More Good News out now.