Our Pick: Priscilla's Revenge - Third Gear

Artist — Priscilla's Revenge
Song — Ape Boy and the Velcro Girl
Album — Third Gear
Year — 2011

Blues had a baby and they called it rock and roll...or so Muddy Waters wrote. This is clearly something Priscilla’s Revenge has embraced on this blues based album with the electric guitars wailing away classic blues and rock riffs complete with bluesy shuffle patterns and classic rhythms that sound familiar but original all at the same time. All the makings of a memorable good time rocking blues musical offering. Chuck Berry traveled this path in the late 50’s. One song after the other, these men are turning up the heat and keeping that northern chill at bay. The hardest part of reviewing an album like this is trying to single any out. While a power trio, on this album the band is supported by other musicians that give this a full sound, with added harmonica, saxophone, trumpet and keyboards but make no mistake, the guitars and drums are front and center.  The biggest wonder listening to this album is how the mainstream hasn’t jumped on this bandwagon and made them another rocking blues Canadian musical icon. Timing is everything in good music and after the first five songs, “Where Did We Go Wrong?” let’s you rest to a swaying deep rooted blues melody. And speaking of Canadian, “Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi” is a folk like instrumental as if music itself can be bilingual. “Ape Boy and the Velcro Girl” captures the fun sound of walking guitar melodies that made groups in the 60’s famous like The Ventures or Booker T. and the MG’s. All in all, there is a new generation of musicians proving they are no less relevant to rock and roll blues than any other well known classic band most people will recognize. If these songs are Priscilla’s Revenge driving music in Third Gear, I can’t wait until they shift up to fourth!