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Album review: The Creepshow – Death At My Door

“Death At My Door” is the fifth release (and first in 4 years) from The Creepshow, a psychobilly/punk band from Burlington, Ontario. Their songs are concise gems of head nodding, foot stomping rock n’ roll, with swinging guitar riffs and chords and upright bass lines supporting the vocals of Kenda “Twisted” Legaspi, who’s as much at ease with the frantic pace of the album opening title track, or the introspective closer “My Sould to Keep”.

The band’s guitars often recall the surf rockers of the 50’s and 60’s, like Link Wray or Dick Dale, mixed with punk influences, and a song like “Tomorrow May Never Come” sounds like someone sent a Dead Kennedys record back in time to these guys. And that’s a good thing by the way. “New Kings” adds brass for a “big band from hell” feel, and the raspy vocals from keyboardist the Reverend McGinty strongly recall the band July Talk.

The band isn’t afraid to stretch out their sound towards pop rock on songs like “One Foot in the Grave” or “Blood Blood Blood”, and the album closer “My Soul to Keep” is an introspective ballad that features Legaspy’s beautiful breathy vocals in a more subdued mood.

This record is one of my favourites of the year, for its fun psychobilly energy but also its versatility and strong songwriting. Definitely worth checking out.

The Creepshow will play a release party show in Montreal on September 29th at Foufounes Électriques. Show starts at 8.

 

Jean-Frederic Vachon
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