ELECTRIC SISTER

As the album title would seem to indicate, on "The Lost Art of Rock & Roll" Oakland, California's ELECTRIC SISTER have made it their mission to teach the pretenders and the wannabes what loud, proud and hooky as hell is all about! This is one independent release that any self-respecting fan of fire breathing, ass-kickin' hard rock absolutely needs to own. Prepare yourself for a high-decibel, high-energy good time.

The failed attempts at reaching the mountaintop are too numerous to count, yet ELECTRIC SISTER is one of the few bands around today that reaches those heights with ease and enthusiasm. They do in fact get "it." The "it" in question pertains to how one delivers a hot rock 'n' roll album with power and passion, one to which you will return again and again. Every tune smokes, except for "Echo Park", and that's only because it's a laid back minute-and-a-half acoustic one that is just as worthy of your time. The guys engulf the eight electric tracks in a blaze of scorching riffs, wild 'n' wooly gonzo soloing, and a definitive rock 'n' roll voice from frontman Thadeus Gonzalez who sounds like a cross between KISS' Paul Stanley and BUCKCHERRY's Josh Todd. The musical styles of both of those bands can be heard on "The Lost Art of Rock & Roll", as can several other better known voltage dealers. Interestingly enough, the chorus on the album's catchiest track, "Monster Girl", reminds of the FOO FIGHTERS and deserves every bit as much airplay as that group enjoys. If there were any justice in the world, you'd be hearing it played over the airwaves on a daily basis. Then again, "catchy" is a word that defines all of these songs in one way or another.

Much respect to ELECTIC SISTER for cranking out raucous jams like "Rock is Religion", "New Mother Earth", and the up-tempo, rip-roarin' rock 'n roll killer "City of Night", which closes the album, leaving you breathless and begging for me.

Do yourself a huge favor and pick up a copy of "The Lost Art of Rock & Roll". Regretting the decision to do so just ain't gonna happen. This one will make you sweat.