The Chesterfield Kings, The Mindbending Sounds of the Chesterfield Kings CD Review on Rock N Roll Universe

If you’re a fan of the Yardbirds, Rolling Stones (Brian Jones era), Paul Revere & the Raiders or any garage rock & roll bands from the 60’s then check out this release on Little Steven’s new record label ‘Wicked Cool Records’. The Chesterfield Kings have been around since the early 80’s and have gained much popularity, national exposure and rave reviews as of late by touring with Little Steven’s Underground Garage Tour featuring: The Charms, The Super Suckers, The Chesterfield Kings and headlining the tour is the New York Dolls.

'The Mindbending Sounds of the Chesterfield Kings' is actually a re -release of their 2003 album of the same title which was on the Sundazed Music Inc. label. The Chesterfield Kings are led by lead singer Greg Prevost and bassist Andy Babiuk who have been together since the Kings' beginnings. Listening to this album one would think this is a bunch of obscure songs from the 60’s but they are all original songs written by the Chesterfield Kings. The opening track ”I Don’t Understand,” is co-written with Little Steven and takes you back to 1966 complete with recycled Yardbirds /Paul Revere & the Raiders riffs. Prevost’s vocals are almost dead on to Jagger from the early Stones releases."Running Through My Nightmares," which was featured semi regularly on Little Steven’s radio show, features some incredible fuzzy sounding guitar work by lead guitarist Paul Morabito."Somewhere Nowhere” is another great tune in which Prevost charges out “…Suicide Flowers set me free…” before hooking you in with a memorable chorus. The Kings definitely bend your mind throughout the CD especially on songs like“Trip Through Tomorrow,” "Mystery Trip” and the album's final cut “The Fading Of My Mind”. “Transparent Life” revisits the Stones as it has the sounds of “Paint It Black” splashed with a bit of Love’s “7 and 7 Is”. Speaking of the Stones, “Flashback” sounds like it could be an outtake of “Jumping Jack Flash”. As the end of the song grows near Prevost sings out “…Flashback, it’s a gas…”.

Overall this is a very cool sounding CD that will probably bend your mind in ways it shouldn’t be bent. So take a trip back to the mid/late 60’s and give it a try. If the Chesterfield Kings are coming to your area check them out live because that is an experience in itself.
http://www.thechesterfieldkings.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thechesterfieldkings