Reviewed by Taf Rock for MPM
I reach for the power switch. With a brief tap the radiogram fizzles into life. In search of inspiration I press the tuner and a channel I have not come across before flashes up on the display.
Hot Nostalgia Radio it calls itself. “Hmmm… Interesting!” the thought that crosses my mind as a quick glance at the playlist on offer grabs my attention.
Fourteen tracks featuring Greta Valenti on vocals, Robin Davey on guitar, Stephen Mildwater on bass, Sam Robertson on keys and accordion and Tom Rasulo on drums. Collectively known as Beaux Gris Gris & the Apocalypse.
It’s not an overstatement to proclaim something special has been brewing out there in music land. For two long years we have waited for the arrival of a new studio album from the Californian based roots rockers – their last studio release 2022’s Good Times End Times contained eight wholesome amalgamations criss-crossing the musical landscape, the album however was actually recorded pre-pandemic in 2019.
Greta, Robin and their apocalyptic bandmates have since toured relentlessly building a solid and loyal fan base which continues to grow and expand fuelled by frequent visits to our island shores. Visits that the band documented with an incredible Live in the United Kingdom album released in 2023 to critical acclaim. I myself have witnessed the power, energy and off-the-wall spontaneity of a Beaux Gris Gris live set on many occasions. An outfit that has very much become THE band to see on the touring circuit. But could they replicate such a unique show back in the studio.
Within seconds of Robin Davey’s riff launching into Oh Yeah! at breakneck speed it is evident they most certainly can. A breathless opening 2:33 salvo packs a mean punch. Greta belting out the vocal with enthusiastic venom whilst Robertson’s rock ‘n’ roll keys enhance the pace of this opening track. A fast, furious, enthusiastic opener which sees the band ‘chase that golden dream’ with simple but effective lyrics in a style reminiscent of the Ramones at their finest. ‘And that’s oh how it goes do do do’.
There’s no time to gather our breath as Wild Woman Greta demands we keep up with the band. A thundering galloping Davey riff atop the solid and dependable Rasulo/Mildwater rhythm section lays the foundation. Greta ‘is no beginner… won’t stop until she’s done’. She’s intent on performing her vocal histrionics, staying the distance as she ‘runs this marathon’.
Satisfy Your Queen – the first single from the album – provided an early audio visual demonstration of the band’s intent, the track being accompanied by a gripping video during which Greta featured as a vampire queen. As the listener got a first taste of the energy and blistering pace of the forthcoming album Greta was threatening to take a bite out of her bandmates. Robin excels here with a solo sure to satisfy not just Greta but everyone within earshot. It’s clear the band are having the time of their lives. ‘You’re killing me baby … There ain’t nothing better in my world’ – the perfect description of the emotion felt by many amongst the audience at any of the band’s live performances.
The brief but thoroughly enjoyable I Told My Baby opens with a delightful and somewhat creepy keyboard refrainwhich continues throughout. Greta is driven crazy ‘drinking at the bar every night’. Robin filling the air with plentiful guitar licks.
Shades of the Rolling Stones during Middle of the Night. Greta’s vocals taking on less urgency in this bluesy number. Horns make an appearance with Jon-Paul Frappier on trumpet and Yuri Villar on saxophone adding to the party atmosphere.
Greta is ‘alone at the party’as the keyboard-rich Sad When I’m Dancing slows the pace right down, the vocals take on a soulful edge here demonstrating once again Greta’s versatility. Never one to shy away from displaying his skills on the guitar Robin dutifully obliges as the call to ‘play some’ goes out.
‘Times have been hard for me and my friends’Greta lamentsat the introto All I Could Do Was Cry a sorrow-filled break-up track which once again features the horns somewhat more prominently this time in a big-band style. Greta’s vocal is the star of the show here, she is equally at home on a track such as this or the frantic rock-n-roll of the opening songs. A wonderfully dependable talent perfect to lead a band that themselves demonstrate their versatility throughout this album with its differing musical styles.
The variation in styles is exhibited once again on The Runaway. Sam Robertson’ accordion the precursor to a beautifully exquisite Valenti vocal full of emotion. Robin finds the time and space between the vocal, accordion and keyboard exchanges to see out the song with another of his barnstorming solos.
Harder To Breathe takes a reflective look at the ‘other side’ where ‘the grass sure looks green’. The nostalgia of the album title very much in evidence here.
The driving rhythm of Don’t Let Go builds to a climax through atmospheric layers of Rasulo drums and Robertson keys. Robin’s guitar solo accompanied by hand-clap style percussion and the omni-present delight of Greta’s rich and powerful vocals.
Penny Paid Rockstar is a miniature representation of this album in just one track. A melting pot of musical styles, a ballad exhibiting amongst others Nashville country influences, filled with lashings of glorious keyboards and the ubiquitous combination of Robin’s guitar solo and those luscious Valenti vocals.
Marie sees the appearance of Chris Cunningham on bass whilst Sam Robertson excels here with an exuberant display of versatility on the keys. ‘Just keep singing’ as the whole band join in on vocals alongside Greta.
Let’s Ride as we head into the home straight with the accompaniment once again of Robertson’s accordion. An upbeat celebratory romp through the musical landscape.
We finish this album with Mama Cray providing a dose of Louisiana zydeco to add to the melting pot of musical styles represented on this album. ‘Where will I go … nobody knows’ lyrics that sum up the Beaux Gris Gris attitude perfectly. The talents of this band know no bounds. The spontaneity exhibited during the live shows equally at home here in the studio as we join in with the gang chorus and dance and jig our way to the album’s ultimate finale.
The answer to the question posed at the inception of this review an emphatic YES. Beaux Gris Gris can and most certainly have replicated the energy and spontaneity of their unique live sets on this latest album and cemented their reputation as one of the most exuberant and enthralling bands on the circuit at the moment. Hot Nostalgia Radio is a cornucopia of delights. A sumptuous feast of aural delights from across the musical spectrum.
I reach for the power switch. But before switching the radiogram off for the evening I make sure I store this wonderful new station Hot Nostalgia Radio in PRESET Number One. Repeated listening a must when the music is this good.
The album emerges in physical formats on May 3rd however as a gift to loyal fans who pre-order the recording the band have made the whole album available as a download/stream via Bandcamp. Get your copy here https://beauxgrisgris.bandcamp.com/album/hot-nostalgia-radio
Be sure to catch one of the band’s electrifying live shows here in the UK during their extensive Apri/May tour commencing April 16th at Christchurch Beaverwood club the tour takes in the whole of the UK culminating with a pyjama night at Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre on May 7th.. Check the full list of dates out here https://www.beauxgrisgris.com/tour
PRE-SAVE & ALBUM PRE-ORDER LINK: HEREWEBSITE: beauxgrisgris.com
BANDCAMP (“Hot Nostalgia Radio” Limited Deluxe Pre-Order, Digital Albums, & Bootlegs): beauxgrisgris.bandcamp.com
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/beauxgrisgris
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/beauxgrisgris FACEBOOK: facebook.com/beauxgrisgris TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@beauxgrisgris
Images by Kaelin Davis
