THE FLESHTONES > Take a Good Look

The Fleshtones rose out of the CBGB’s punk/new wave movement in the late-1970s, eventually becoming a 1980s party staple by blending aggressive attitudes and big-beat posturing with high-octane surf licks in addition to massive organ fills and edgy vocals, that owed as much to vintage r&b and soul as psychedelic garage fuzziness

Label: Yep Roc
[Rating: 3 STARS]

The Fleshtones rose out of the CBGB’s punk/new wave movement in the late-1970s, eventually becoming a 1980s party staple by blending aggressive attitudes and big-beat posturing with high-octane surf licks in addition to massive organ fills and edgy vocals, that owed as much to vintage r&b and soul as psychedelic garage fuzziness. Some 30-plus years later little has changed, except maybe the quality of the releases. The Fleshtones continue to operate under the assumption that they are “America’s greatest garage band,” flying behind the scenes despite continually solid and consistent albums. On this one, “Back to School” is a borderline rockabilly-meets-r&b brave-up, “Ruby’s Olde Time” has a low-fi quality filled with ‘60s pop-innocence and cheery organ, while “Feels Good To Feel,” has the New York “jungle sound” where exotica mixes with harmonica. Raw, yet polished, rough, yet inviting, The Fleshtones continue to do what they do best-if only more people would take notice.