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Written by Joseph O'Fallon Saturday, 28 July 2007 10:59

The Go should be recognized as more than the band Jack White played with in the '90s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bands today are really cashing in on the replica-rock genre; take, for instance, the following:

• Amy Winehouse (see June Rolling Stone cover) uses modernized lyrics while recycling '60s sound and singing style, best exhibited in the hit single "Rehab."
• The Pipettes have recreated the Ronnettes, replacing Phil Spektor with Monster Bobby, by staying true to an innocent'50s approach.
• The Long Blondes, despite a few twists, are also enjoying international success with a methodized throwback sound. 
• The White Stripes are the most notable among the many Detroit bands thriving on the '60s rock revival movement.
• King Khan has had success out of Detroit and Nic Armstrong has taken it overseas.
• The Reigning Sound, who recently backed the Mary Weiss (Shangri-La's) 2007 effort, is one more band that has made a huge splash in the current rock world.

In the midst of this wave is The Go, who should be recognized as more than the band Jack White played with in the '90s. Now in their tenth year, they've just released their fourth album, Howl on the Haunted Beat You Ride. This should elevate their status to a real rock force.

"You Go Bangin' On" breaks out immediately and is the first of many great tracks, all of which I could be convinced were written and recorded 40 years ago. "Invisible Friends" is lyrically intriguing and musically catchy; it makes for back-to-back highlights with the next and best track, "Caroline."

The middle of the album gets tiresome after several plays, but any Kinks fan cannot resist "Help You Out," possibly the noisiest, most intricate track and a Howl standout. The Go are at their most natural with a guitar in the forefront, but "Caroline" and "She's Prettiest When She Cries," both piano-driven, are my favorites.

The Go embraces "replica-rock" right down to the girl's name in "Mary Ann," in another outstanding song. All Howl tracks should transfer seamlessly to the stage, and fans won't have to settle for low-energy, aging rockers to hear quality '60s rock 'n' roll. Along with the White Stripes, The Go are doing some 10th anniversary shows, and a tour is in the works. A- | Joseph O'Fallon

RIYL: White Stripes, King Khan, Kinks

 

Click here for a clip of Jack White and The Go from the Detroit Rock movie