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The London Souls: Here Come the Girls

The latest effort from now-duo The London Souls is worthy of consideration among history’s finest examples of the dirtiest rock. Chris St. Hilaire and Tash Neal have assembled a collection of songs full of swagger and accidental perfection that perfectly encapsulates their intuitive approach to making music. Not that the album isn’t without its tender moments—the Zeppelin-y
“Isabel” and Alecia Chakour-assisted album closer “Run Zombie Run” are particularly gentle tunes. By and large though, this record is rife with boozy swing, crunchy guitars and thunderous drums. Credit is due to producer Eric Krasno (who split bass duties with the duo) and mixer John Davis for helping to harness and refine the raw power of the band, best evidenced in comparison between the original 2006 “Steady Are You Ready” single and the slower, nastier version included on this album. Rarely does the unadulterated power of rock make the transition from instrument to tape so perfectly.