Little Queenie – “Blackout” b/w “SS Shipwreck” 7” (Sweet Rot)
Burly, somewhat mannered garage pop out of the Bay Area (probably because it’s played with two basses and no guitars), and fronted by the iconic Mark “Icki” Murrmann, performing with the wheezing, seen-it-all presence of the Psychedelic Furs’ Richard Butler. These songs don’t have a whole lot going on, but are pleasant enough, and it’s definitely novel to hear such a band sing about drinking too much, as if the past ten years haven’t given us enough object lessons about rock & roll’s left hand path. A minor effort, saved by some touches not often heard in the genre, and by a well-balanced but tough-sounding production job care of Greg Ashley. Hopefully future efforts expand upon the potential here, or possibly let go of the garage altogether. There’s a chance to do something more within. (http://www.myspace.com/sweetrotrecords)
(Doug Mosurock)
