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Yeah, the 1960s are back, but they’ve been back for a while. Acts like the Hives, the Strokes, and the Vines hit it big in the mainstream a few years back, but there are still bands doing retro `60s in the punk tradition of bands like the Stooges and MC5. Joining the ranks of such contemporary garage punk revivalists as the Briefs and Gas Huffer, Teenage Harlets take the garage sound back to the roots. Way back. So far back, in fact, that they make the original garage bands of the 1960s sound primitive.

Up the Fixx is 20 songs (plus two secret tracks) that demonstrate the formula that’s worked for 40 years: short, energetic songs, with simple lyrics and catchy though repetitive guitar hooks. There’s really no point in trying to pick out the “best” songs on an album like this. They’re all good, yet they’re all very similar: sloppy blues-scale guitars, double snare pounds, and muffled sing/shouting vocals. If there was a standout track on Up the Fixx, it would easily be the infectious “Do the Jerk,” which sounds an awful lot like the Surfaris’ “Wipeout” with the addition of catchy call-and-response group vocals and superior drumming. The blistering punk track “She Said” demonstrates some of the most impressive musicianship on the album with slick guitar playing and a driving rhythm under incomprehensible, babbling vocals.

Take Up the Fixx for what it is: energetic, fun rock and roll. There’s nothing groundbreaking here, but for a band going for a retro sound, that’s kind of the point. Chances are after just a listen or two, you’ll want to be dancing around like a fool, clapping your hands to the rhythm and shouting at your friends to “do the jerk” too. Hey, that kinda rhymes. I should write lyrics for the Teenage Harlets.



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    Posted by avi on 2006-11-13 17:05:20

    GlassPipe, thanks for the review! The River City Rebels are still working out some legal shit with their old label but we should have something to announce soon.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 13, 2006 at 12:18 AM (EST)

    "Harlet" is the misspelling of "Harlot", which is a .

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2006-11-12 04:05:35

    I was hoping maybe they would sign River City Rebels since they put out the O'Day solo cd...but I guess that's not the case.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 4:02 PM (EST)

    When the hell will Springman sign anyone good?

    Posted by Phantom_Maggot on 2006-11-08 00:08:05

    This band is really really fun live, but I don't think I'd ever purcahse an album.

    Posted by eyeslikebombs on 2006-11-07 19:53:05

    What the fuck is a Harlet?

    Posted by Justine on 2006-11-07 13:09:35
    My Score:

    I think this band is a LOT better live than what their recordings give away. I booked them on their national tour this summer and was blown away. These kids have got some great stage presence.

    Posted by Woland on 2006-11-07 01:07:18

    i was thinking in terms of 60s "garage style".
    not "60s garage style".
    it doesn't matter. it was a lame joke because i am lame.
    take that anonymous...if that is your real name...

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at 12:54 AM (EST)

    Then that would make them 60s garage bands and not 60s garage styled bands, Mr. Woland.

    If that is your real name.

    Posted by Woland on 2006-11-07 00:35:17

    i would argue that 60s garage style bands have been around since the 60s. i could be wrong.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at 12:12 AM (EST)

    "Acts like the Hives, the Strokes, and the Vines hit it big in the mainstream a few years back, but there are still bands doing retro `60s in the punk tradition of bands like the Stooges and MC5."

    The only band in that list to even remotely sound like the Stooges or MC5 is the Hives. The Strokes sound like a Lou Reed wannabe fronting an untalented New York new wave wannabe group and the Vines were that band that thought grunge needed to comeback (though I guess some of their work is sprinkled with vague allusions to the Beatles).

    Not to mention that 60's garage style bands have been around since the 70's.....

    -William

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