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Wisconsin's Locksley acquired notoriety with their sophomore
release Don't Make Me Wait in 2008, and have come into
2010 knowing what they wanted for their third recording Be
In Love. Showing influences of '50s rockabilly reflective
of Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison, Locksley got their
barings on blending the nostalgic with the contemporary, sowing
catchy melodic hooks reminiscent of Hot Hot Heat and a
power pop thumping akin to Razorlight. The quartet shakes
up the mix demonstrating a bit of Americana with a power pop propulsion
treading along the paths of '80s stalwarts like The Stray Cats
and Chris Isaak. Locksley take modern rockabilly into the
21st century and shellac it with a power pop bronzing that puts
them in the same ilk as The Raconteurs.
Tracks like "Love You Too" and "Darling, It's
True " show melodic slabs that share properties with Razorlight's
dance-based grooves as vocalist Jesse Laz stirs up the
kinetic energy between the rhythm section of bassist Jordan
Laz and drummer Sam Blair with the chunky swells of
guitarist Kai Kennedy. The band shows a flouncy folk rambling
in "Days Of Youth" fitted with handclapped beats and
a positively charged vibe that gives the track an infectious pumping.
"21st Century" has a fresh heartland rock breeziness
wheedled with whipping guitar riffs and a lively beating that
switches to swathes of soft balladry sweeps along "Away From
Here" that smacks of rockabilly smoothness. The bolting tremors
and vaunting strut of "The Whip" and "Down For
Too Long" have a jubilant feel, which transform into the
heavy metal-tinged conflagrations of "On Fire", letting
the guitars loose and the drum strikes rip. "The Way That
We Go" is modern rockabilly anchored by syncopated beats
before closing the album with the well-oiled fluidity of "The
World Isn't Waiting".
Locksley may have not completely separated themselves from their
musical influences but they have something fun to offer that is
genuinely Americana-based rock. Locksley show that The Raconteurs
are not the only band in town who can wield the blade of nostalgic
rock with proficiency.
-Susan Frances
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