Music review: Stray Cats – ëƵ40ëƵ
The same cat class and cat style featured on earlier releases by the Stray Cats can be witnessed on the trioëƵs first album of original material since 1992.
Aptly titled ëƵ40,ëƵ the new release celebrates the bandëƵs 40th anniversary as guitarist and frontman Brian Setzer, bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom reunite to deliver 12 tracks of rockabilly rowdiness straight out of the 1950s.
The claws come out and the fur is flying right from the start as ëƵCat Fight (Over a Dog Like Me)ëƵ opens the festivities with a retro flair and hints of classic artists such as Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran.
For those feeling a bit under the weather, ëƵRock It OffëƵ offers up a rousing rock ëƵnëƵ roll prescription for what ails you with Setzer declaring, ëƵTurn up that guitar/Slap that stand-up bass/Be sure to get them speakers/Right up in your face.ëƵ
The instrumental ëƵDesperadoëƵ possesses the intrigue of the vintage spaghetti westerns, fitting in perfectly as part of the soundtrack for classic Clint Eastwood movies like ëƵFistful of Dollars,ëƵ ëƵFor a Few Dollars MoreëƵ and ëƵThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly.ëƵ
Tracks such as ëƵIëƵve Got Love if You Want ItëƵ and ëƵCry DangerëƵ feature blazing guitar work that highlights SetzerëƵs enthusiastic vocals.
ëƵThree TimeëƵs a CharmëƵ is a toe-tapping tune that inspires flashbacks to the days when dancing up a storm at the local burger joint as the jukebox shakes the room was just a normal part of a teenagerëƵs daily routine.
ëƵI Attract TroubleëƵ and ëƵIëƵll Be Looking Out for YouëƵ are cool little numbers that give off a hint of adventure and danger that can be found on any given Saturday night.
ëƵDevil TrainëƵ brings the spirited set to an ominous close as PhantomëƵs drumming keeps pace with SetzerëƵs gritty guitar riffs on a tale about not being afraid to take a walk on the wild side.
ItëƵs certainly good to have these three cool cats back making new music and once again strutting their stuff as they rock the town with a confident swagger.

