Hotel
by: Starlite Devilles
(thestarlitedevilles.com)
The Starlite Devilles are a four-piece alt-country band from Athens, Georgia. Hotel counts as the group's debut release. The Starlite Devilles include: Eric Gregory (vocals/guitar), Keith Fowler (lead guitar), Brian Crane (drums) and Pat Pawlowski (bass).
The band lists Hank Williams, The Rolling Stones, The Replacements, Uncle Tupelo, Big Star and The Beat Farmers as musical influences. Hotel was recorded by Dodd Ferrelle at Carraige On the Hill Studio. These ten songs capture this Athens group's gritty, gasoline-laced style.
The Gregory/Fowler tune "Second Hand" opens Hotel with a raucous, bust-you-in-the-mouth sentiment. "Get Over Myself" emits the sweaty rock & roll bar aesthetic, and "Fool's Game" (with a great solo from Fowler) certainly follows the musical vein of The Replacements. Except for the opening track, Gregory wrote all of these compositions.
The title track offers a dark and moody story. "Someone Else" counts as one of Hotel's strongest tunes--complete with a weeping pedal steel. "Right Back To You" contains classic guitar tones and a catchy chorus that displays strong songcraft. The acoustic "Nothing To Say" represents good, honest music.
"The Way It Sounds" resembles the music of the Drive By Truckers, but Gregory's voice stamps the genetic code on The Starlite Devilles. "The Bitter End" closes Hotel with a sonic quality that conjures the spirit of Johnny Cash. You've not heard the last of the Starlite Devilles.
James Calemine
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David Barbe & The Quick Hooks: Love It. Don't Choke It To Death
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