Album Review: Faz Waltz - "On The Ball"

 

No less than the sixth album from Italian glam revivalists Faz Waltz, On The Ball sees the group moving away from their tried and tested template with a hitherto hidden love of classic '50s rock 'n' roll coming to the fore. Given that the group have a good reputation for being a consistently enjoyable group (even more so, I'd argue, than their more celebrated compatriots Giuda), it had me wondering a bit how well they'd be able to negotiate this sudden change in sound.

But no need to worry as it turns out - the key is that Faz Waltz remain a band with a sound that's as tight as their ducktail hairdos and you could almost have imagined the Jim Jones Revue spitting out fire-breathing doses of rockabilly like Hot Cold Fever and Fool For Your Love a decade or so again while the frantic piano on Soon I'm Gone is pure Little Richard. They're also a band with the sense to throw in the odd curveball to keep things interesting such as the Merseybeat style rhythms of She's Mine, the Troggs-esque Love Time Bomb or the almost soul-rock groove of Empty Hands. And as the Mott the Hoople style Lotta Lovin' bears out, they've not quite let go of those glam rock leanings just yet...

It may be a bit of a change in sound for Faz Waltz but full credit to them - they've pulled it off well and On The Ball can happily sit alongside their high quality previous efforts without feeling like any sort of poor relation. Grease your hair up, get your best duds on and enjoy.

Bandcamp Link

NITE SONGS RATING: 🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌔🌑🌑 (8/10)

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