Trading in electric guitar riffs that range from jangly-clean to fuzzed-out dirt, The Orwells conjure obvious sonic references to The Strokes and myriad garage-rock bands before them, while adding a recalcitrant, socially inept edge courtesy of singer Mario Cuomo's lyrics.
He best sums up the vibe in Dirty Sheets:
''From the East Coast to the West/We ain't the worst, we ain't the best/Drink all night, I'm such a mess/There's something missing in my chest.''
Empty, but fun.
- The Orwells. Disgraceland. Canvasback/Atlantic. 3 stars (out of 5)
Single download: Southern Comfort
For those who like: The Replacements, Buzzcocks
- Shane Gilchrist
