Ever since The Strokes made rock fashionable again, I've been really cautious about hearing bands playing this type of retro rock revival. So what is The Mutts difference? Well, for starters, they're on FatCat, home to a vast selection of unique genre non-specific acts, including the Giddy Motors, Sigur Rós, and Black Dice, which, in my book, makes them at least worth a listen. Secondly, they formed not only as a reaction to the schmaltzy music of bands like Travis, but also to pretentious groupie cock rockers like the Kings Of Leon who care more about posturing and pussy than... well, everything else. Vocalist Chris Murtagh has been quoted as saying, "the whole Rock 'n' Roll thing was about the hype, and nothing about the music. That's why we are here." But this is by no means a self-proclamation of a band called The Mutts being the saviors of rawk as the band would happily tour forever, and bollocks to sales. They play for the joy. But even with a grain of humility, this is still a pretty bold mission statement from a band that has only released a vinyl single before this, the Brighton four-piece's six-track debut EP. The fruition of which naturally lies with the group's ability to surpass the expectations that an opening statement like Chris' makes, demonstrating the difference between talking the talk and walking the walk.
The Mutts EP is balls to the walls rock, sure enough, but beyond the fuzz, takes it back to its primal roots, staying true to the old neighborhood garage band tradition. These guys play capably and effectively within their means, with no delusions about themselves. I mean, Black Sabbath, from whom I believe The Mutts took a lot of inspiration, really wanted to be Cream; but it didn't take long for them to realize they didn't have the virtuosic talent and went about creating some of the most gut-mangling rock ever pressed. However, unlike BS, The Mutts have absolutely no interest in image. Their first single was released in the musical equivalent of a manila envelope with a photocopied inlay. These guys actually are really about the rock and live for gigs, which is vital for any pure rock band to last. Dispassionate groups just kicking around for beer and blowjobs, in that order, are pathetically easy to spot, and their fickle fan base doesn't last long. The rub for The Mutts is to get their live energy to translate to record. As for that, I'd have to say this EP is pretty hit and miss, as the band shows a lot of classic influences but the transcendence of which is not always there. I'd really like to see them let loose with Steve Albini or Nigel Godrich (they were robbed out of an early January Peel session by the Grim Reaper, so somebody should at least give them a little career compensation), but in the mean time, I can't claim to have judged these guys with any authority until I see them for myself, and neither can you.
1. Blasted
2. Shark
3. Melted
4. Gamma Life
5. Neon Lights
6. Uniform