Johnny Rock and The Limits have forged a reputation for crazy themed gigs and an out-and-out rocking live show, and they’ve captured that essence nicely in this four-track EP. It’s a great ’60s and ’70s garage-rock flavour with brushes of electro-synth, which give the songs a nice lick. Generally speaking, the lyrics are good and simple. Plenty of ‘oh babys’, and the smell of summertime beers. They were featured in a Cornetto ad last summer, and you could pick up the toned and tanned bodies in it, and throw them into a Johhny Rock and The Limits show and not miss a trick.
Give What You Need is an anthemic and liberating first track. It has you shaking your head from side to side with a tight lip pout from the get go, and wishing my mo was as dirty as Johnny’s. Plenty of reverb on the vocal almost gives it a surround sound vibe. Shoeshine is the most garage of the lot with a great sing-along chorus; “I think I need your shoeshine like I think I need a hole in my head.” I think it’s about the morning after a one-nighter, but I’m not a hundred percent. She’s Alright is delightful diversion; a heartache tale about not having the balls to approach a young lady, and I think we’ve all been there once (or 15) times. It’s a great contrast to the other three tracks without being cheesy; the delicate guitar balances well the sweet melody and the sour regret of the lyrics. They polish it off with See the Light, which is a pumping and desperate lunge to the finish line; a great stretch of Johnny Rock’s vocals, plenty of synth and guitar soloing. A really enjoyable listen.
BY MICKY RENNIE
Best Track: Shoeshine
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