Tag: faster pussycat

This is album number three for the kings of the sleazy underbelly of the Sunset Strip . It was released in ’92, right in the middle of the change in the musical climate. Whereas a lot of their peers were changing there sound to a more harder sound because of the grunge takeover, Faster Pussycat stayed true to themselves. I’m not sure if the band would have broke as big if it wasn’t for MTV, but they certainly made the most of of it.

The album opens up with Nonstop To Nowhere, a blast of power pop-tinged sleaze to shake your cobwebs away. I really like the hook and melody to this one. Body Thief blows in with an Aerosmith-style groove and riff that is really cool with a great attitude. Jack The Bastard follows and it’s textbook sleaze-o-Rama from LA’s finest. A simple riff and a groove with lots of swing. It’s double entendres time next with Big Dictionary.  A change in groove and pace as the riff is funky, and we get horns. Madam Ruby’s Love Boutique slides on in and this is pure old school Aerosmith, and my favourite track. Great tune! Only Way Out has a weird jazz groove happening with a great swing and groove.

Side 2 dives on in with Maid In Wonderland. A nice melodic chord sequence gives way to a heavy, dirty groove and a very psych hook and chorus. It’s sleazy barroom ballad time next with Friends. Cat Bash is an odd track where the vocals are insults aimed at the band over a telephone with a sleazy groove played underneath. Loose Booty is a killer Chilli Peppers funky romp. Mr. Lovedog feels as though you’re listening to part of a film score, if that makes sense (a sleazy one of course). The album closes with Out With A Bang, another dirty Aerosmith groove with accompanying sleazy story lyrics.

Definitely on par with their first album, and major props for not changing the sound and style.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Often named as one of the reasons that hair metal disappeared off the face of the earth at the hands of grunge, Faster Pussycat got a bit of a bad rap IMHO. They actually sold quite a lot of records and were successful, whereas a lot of other bands weren’t selling much at all. It was all about the sleezy image with these guys, and the music seemed to take a back seat to all the drink and drugs image. Taime Downe was one hot mess of a front man, with not much of a voice, but I guess that was the point so he was perfect for this band.

Equal parts Rolling Stones, New York Dolls, mixed with an alien from the planet tharg, and you are somewhere close. It’s a fun rock and roll record, no more no less, and if you took away their image you would be left with The Faces. Don’t Change That Song, Bathroom Wall, Cathouse, Shooting You Down, and Ship Rolls In are all good songs. If someone asked me to describe the whole sleaze rock thing I would give them a copy of this record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.