Rose Tattoo had been banging round the bars of Australia for three years before the release of this, their first album, and just like AC/DC before them it was released through Albert Productions – even produced by Vanda and Young. The DNA is there for sure, but these guys seemed a lot more hardcore. This is real they mean-business-shit-kicking-rock-n-roll.
The opening track is a full barroom rock experience – complete with some mean slide playing from Pete Wells. Things explode with Nice Boys – boy, does this track fly along at a serious pace – it’s one of the band’s best ever tracks. The Butcher And Fast Eddie is a slowed down bruiser of a tune. One Of The Boys is a dirty Friday night sing-a-long boogie anthem. Remedy closes out Side 1, and this is AC/DC on crack. Great stuff!
Bad Boy For Love was the track that was played the most on the radio that I can remember, and is yet another hard man tune. TV follows and is super sped up boogie with LOTS of attitude. Is that a love song I hear? Stuck On You sure sounds like one to me. Tramp follows and is a cross between punk and mean rock n roll with a great simple riff. The album closes out with Astra Wally and is my favourite track on the album – a real mega dirty boogied up beast of a tune.
This album is fun with a capital F. It does want it says on the tin, and everyone should own one of these to shake the cobwebs off once in a while.
9.5/10 from The Grooveman.
