Scruffs
(Scruffsville)
Imagine this. A band that recorded their debut outing some 32 years ago suddenly returns with an album as fresh and vital as anything the competition's offered in the interim. And on top of that, it comes courtesy of an outfit whose marquee pull is practically nil. Regardless, with the irresistibly infectious Conquest, the Scruffs offer a set that not only affirms the confidence echoed in the album's title, but more importantly, makes them worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Big Star, Badfinger, the Raspberries, the Shoes, the Spongetones and any other band that's helped define the power pop idiom. A soaring blend of sprawling melodies, relentless refrains, billowing harmonies and undeniably effusive execution, every one of these dozen songs measures up as instantly memorable, equal parts acumen and adrenalin that sink in from the first note on.
Indeed, despite cheesy cover art that evokes the ruins of a Greco-Roman temple, Conquest is the kind of record that would incite any of their fellow retro rockers to drool over in envy. From the initial surge of "Conquer Me" and the robust strains of "Curse of the Mau Mau" to the drive and jangle of "All the Pharaohs" and the rollicking "Land of Trance," it suggests an album for the ages, its ancient muse notwithstanding. And while some sort of concept is implied in the themes, the imagery and the Scruffs' own survivor ethic, the set's strength is borne through the songs themselves. Clearly, this Conquest worthy of reaping the rewards.
Standout Tracks: "The Radio Song," "Days of Silver and Gold," "Land of Trance" LEE ZIMMERMAN
