(Pop Punk, Pop Rock, Power Pop) 20th Century Boys (Twentieth Century Boys) - Discography (2 releases) (2024-2025), MP3, 320 kbps

2024 - 5 Song EP [EP] - 00:15:12

01 - Natural Disaster (02:50)
02 - Come On Jason (03:35)
03 - Cuz I Want To (03:00)
04 - Suzy (02:33)
05 - Hotz On 2 Boogie (03:12)

2025 - Twentieth Century Boys - 00:36:28

01 - Suzy (02:32)
02 - Cuz I Want To (02:58)
03 - Tricky Situation (04:31)
04 - Beating Hearts (03:35)
05 - Come On Jason (03:34)
06 - Glory Boys (03:22)
07 - Natural Disaster (02:50)
08 - Awright (03:04)
09 - Hotz On 2 Boogie (03:11)
10 - Never A Dull Moment (02:56)
11 - Rumble At The Dance Hall (03:50)

Об исполнителе/группе

After what I’ve been told was a pretty prolific stretch of retro and new release reviews for Sleaze Roxx through the pandemic, I’m a bit ashamed to say that my output the last couple of years has resulted in only a sole review of Angel‘s Sinful album. In all fairness though, during that time I’ve written and released a couple of books, a good bit of music, and painted on a whole lot of canvases. With my music/art studio being renovated though, I found myself with a little bit of time on my hands so with a bit of a creative itch, I hit up Olivier for a few retro review assignments. The results being that so far I’ve turned in seven reviews this year. So with the rust shaken off, I immediately thought to myself “Hey Stoney, why not dig into something cool and new? There’s got to be something out there!” So I found a good ten or so off the wall interesting new platters, tossed them in my top hat, and what you’re about to read is my review of the first one that I yanked out — the debut full-length album from California’s own 20th Century Boys!
While gearing myself up to give this one a spin, I kind of got the feeling that pulling this one out of the hat was more fate than just chance. Between the band name and general description, I felt like this one sat somewhere in the middle of all the bands I wrote about in my glam rock book. Toss in that it appears that some version of this album got a reissue on my birthday (April 4th) and you gotta just think it was meant to be. Sure, it came loaded with a bunch of hype — band from California, ex-members of some renowned bands, not to mention favorable quotes from other reviews. That’s all cool and all but this one was just screaming at me to put it on. Forget any opening acts, we were heading straight to the main event. Besides, why taint any thoughts that should be formally decided by my own ears?
While waiting for the first sounds to kick in, I did notice that 20th Century Boys chose to keep things short and sweet. Eleven tunes that average right around the three-minute mark. Good on you boys. There’s nothing that discourages me more than getting a new CD and it’s looking like there’s an endless number of tracks on it aka a good bit of filler. At a reasonable 36 minutes, before even hearing a note, this one was already sounding promising.
From the jump, 20th Century Boys‘ long play debut is a raw blend of ’70s glam, punk and power pop. Flirting cheekily somewhere between The Ramones and Cheap Trick, and with slight nods towards the Dolls, coming off somehow more New York / East Coast than a California band should wish to be. Dig the gritty glam punk of D Generation or for that matter even early KISS? The catchy hooks of Starz or the rockin’ guitar of Izzy Stradlin? Chances are you’ll want to give 20th Century Boys a spin. Curious yet?
Now chances are none of the three members of 20th Century Boys are rocket scientists. We’re talking straightforward rock and roll here where the concentration is on a good bit of catchy energy. From opener “Suzy” to closer “Rumble At The Dance Hall,” 20th Century Boys‘ first is a high energy, anthem loaded affair that won’t go over most heads but will stick close to guts and heart. “Suzy” comes off like a solid signature band tune while “Cuz I Want To” is the one track that made me think about D Generation. Plain and simple, it’s catchy power chords galore driven along by a pushy beat and a whole mess of tasty Johnny Thunders spitting out raw Chuck Berry guitar. The vocals simple and peppered with raw attitude. Nothing more or less. If musical acrobatics is what you’re looking for, you’re standing on the wrong corner, but if uncomplicated rock and roll is your wish, you’ve landed on the right sidewalk. A pretty choice, sidewalk I might add.
While the 20th Century Boys‘ roller coaster is more straight away than twist and turns, it’s a ride filled with some pretty choice straightforward cuts. You can’t go wrong with 20th Century Boys‘ cool take on the Gunslinger‘s “Never A Dull Moment” and rollicking boogie original “Come on Jason.” “Tricky Situation” will please your power pop, trash and roll soul, “Rumble At The Dance Hall” will pick up your heart rate, and “Hotz On 2 Boogie” will leave you feeling at least a little bit dirty — in the best kinda New York Dolls way that is.
As previously advertised, 20th Century Boys ain’t reinventing the wheel. Think I even caught a glance in their hype somewhere where it was said what’s old is new again with these guys. That’s cool though cuz what the world needs now (besides love, sweet love) is a good kicking dose of rock and roll. There’s plenty to be found on this debut record. Very little stress but a whole lot of fun mess. But don’t take my word for it, get your own copy, toss it on, turn it up, and create your own rumble at the dance hall… dammit!

Состав

Jeff Moses – guitar, vocals
Claude Guecia – bass
Jason Hubbard – drums