The Reckless Ones
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Reckless Ones, Make Your Move
(Self-released)
Make Your Move, the debut record from Minneapolis trio Reckless Ones, is no narrow rockabilly record. Yes, the upright bass, the pompadoured hair, and the songs about driving fast and turning it up loud are all there, but the classic overtones blend with modern pop structures to make Make accessible and enjoyable. Frontman Kevin O'Leary's smooth tenor recalls a languorous Buddy Holly, and his inviting delivery ties nicely together the mix of young-punk storytelling and earnest longing in the songs. His guitarwork is a cutting mix of walkdowns and surf-rock, a familiar combo but executed with speed and a devil-may-care attitude. The six-string salvo that fuels the yearning lyrics of “Cold Hands” is well-accompanied by the sharp slap of Adam Boatright’s upright bass strings against the fretboard, adding another layer of percussive drive, like an unhinged metronome. Dylan Patterson's drums come hard and fast from the beginning of the record, where “Dead End Bitch” kicks off with a roll that would not be out of place on a Brian Setzer record. With the trio's unflagging, rollicking energy, Make Your Move is timed well for summer, and likely to age well. Rockabilly will always sound like it's got one foot firmly planted in the 1950s, but Reckless Ones' willingness to experiment with found sound, tempo changes, and tautly constructed Elvis Costello-esque songwriting shows they've learned something about applying the changing tastes of popular music to an established sound.
Grade: B+
Upcoming show: Aug. 21, Nomad Pub; Sept. 5, Club Underground
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