Play Rock N Roll (EP)
Artist: The Lions Rampant
Label; Indie
Length: 6/17:04

Frantic retro punk?  70's Brit pop?  Garage blues rock?  That's a lot of "critic words" for only six songs, yet they all fit the Lions Rampant's Play Rock N Roll.  This Cincinnati band plays like they're late for another gig.  "70-30" is old school, Kinks-like frantic Britpop, while "Cryin' All the Time" recalls the Violent Femmes.

"New Mantra" mixes garage rock with the Doors, and the other tracks here employ similar approaches – earnest yet frantic, guitar-on-fire, do it yourself rock that avoids the sloppiness of most punk groups.  Raw yet melodic, this band leaves you wanting more.

Brian A. Smith
21 April 2008