The Rolling Blackouts produce a sound that seems all too familiar. Like that pair of jeans that now has an indentation of your knees carved into the front of them. Or that toothless man who sits across from you on the train to work. Some describe this ‘familiarity of sound’ as part of the ’garage rock revival’, others prescribe the title ‘throwback rock and roll’, but no matter the amount of differing labels journalists and punters impose, the sound once heard can only be ascribed as that that entered through my ears via the speakers when listening to The Rolling Blackouts album Black Is Beautiful. 

Last year I reviewed an album by The Mutts and one also by Back In Spades, both exhuding this same stylised ‘genre’ if you will. While this sweeping epidemic of genre may not be as prevalent as say the “80’s dance-rock” resurgence, it is still one that has been noticed of late, and commented about on numerous occasions. And although many criticise bands for continuing to regurgitate this formula, one can’t help but feel comfortable in the familiarity of the sound. After all, this criticism, while somewhat true, can’t stand too far into the argument. The point that will eventually arise, is “How can anything a band produces today, be completely original and un-tainted by prior artists?”.

Now that my meandering rant has ceased, for the moment, it’s time to address the music itself. The album commences with two minutes and thirty-six seconds of meaty riffs and raspy vocals on Black Cake, this same sound projecting through the remainder of the album. Lots Of Love, an album favourite for myself, deviates slightly with oscillations between sugar-laden harmonies, and lead-heavy chords backed by drawling, un-enthused vocals. And although this album may seem derivative at times, songs such as Lots Of Love, reminded me that familiarity is sometimes the sweetest of things.

If this diminuitive description sounds enticing to you, then I recommend giving this album a listen. I also propose that The Rolling Blackouts would put on a live show to rival any live show. Those my friend, are my realisations of the day.