Frankie and the Witch Fingers had one of the better under the radar 60’s garage rock records released last year so there definitely was some excitement with such a quick follow up in Heavy Roller. The opening rocker “6000 Horns” is all you need to hear because it’s driving grind is classic sounding right down to the group hoo-hoos and organ but when the last third rages on with a feverish tempo and a scorching guitar solo you know you have come to the right place. “Get Down” keeps the spirit flowing as the band in unison sings “You know I want to get down!!”
The key thing to know about these retro psych rockers is that their hooks are snappy, their guitars and organ rebound up and down like championship ballers and you can hear many influences, past and present, with everything in their style that includes Beatles, 13th Floor Elevators, Flamin’ Groovies and Thee Oh Sees. From the big soaring “Fuzz God” to the hypnotic closing keeper “Merry Go Round,” Frankie and the Witch Fingers consistently keep things moving, interesting and memorable. If old school or new school psych rock is your thing, Heavy Roller should be added to your list to pick up!
Label: Permanent Records
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Christopher Anthony
For more of Christopher Anthony’s music reviews, check out The Fire Note
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television