Will Not Be Televised

OK, here's the thing: the Solution is a supergroup started by drummer and lead guitarist Nicke Andersson (aka Nick Royale) and Mattias Hellberg of the Hellacopters alongside lead singer Scott Morgan of Sonic's Rendezvous Band and various other legends of Detroit punk. And it sounds absolutely nothing like one might imagine a band starring those two legends of garage punk to sound like. On their second album, the Solution deliver 11 tracks worth of old-fashioned blue-eyed soul in the manner of Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Johnny Rivers, the Righteous Brothers and any number of lesser lights beloved of Northern soul collectors and assorted record nerds. This recreation covers all the major points of the original style, right down to the horn section, soul-chick backing singers, Hammond organ, and according to the album cover shot, the mohair suits and stingy-brim fedoras. (And speaking of the album cover, check out that vintage typography and graphic design!) Split between band originals and covers of genre classics like "Heavy Makes You Happy" and "Can't Stop Looking for My Baby," The Solution Will Not Be Televised is an utterly retro affair. But all concerned are clearly having so much fun working in their chosen style that accusations of unoriginality completely miss the point: there may not be anything new here, but what's old is a timeless-sounding blast of unaffected soul power. ~ Stewart Mason

新旧2つの爆音ロックンロール・バンドのメンバー──ヘラコプターズのニッケ・アンテションとソニックス・ランデヴー・バンドのスコット・モーガン──がユニットを結成。凄まじい暴走サウンドを繰り出す……かと思いきや、なぜかとてつもなく黒光りしたガレージ・ソウルを展開。女性コーラスやホーン隊も炸裂して異様に黒い。往年のモッズ・バンドや、エドガー・ジョーンズが好きな人にこそぜひ聴いてほしい逸品だ。
bounce (C)北爪 啓之