JONES STREET
"Out of the Gutter"
(Eonian; 2022)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"Out of the Gutter" was headed for a solid three-and-a-half star review here on RoughEdge.com. I was thrilled with the band's throwback sound, back to the hair metal era of the Sunset Strip and beyond. I kept telling myself, "They don't make music like this anymore" and "Damn, I missed this sound!"
But then I did a little research and, son of a bitch, "Out of the Gutter" is a collection of songs that a band called Jones Street recorded back in 1991-1995, remastered this year and re-released by Eonian Records with a fully revitalized sound. The tracks on this collection (save for the last one, a rough demo of "On the Edge") sound like they could have been recorded last week.
I was a little disappointed to discover that but, after playing "Out of the Gutter" in its entirety again, I realized that I should be thrilled. I never would have heard of Jones Street or "Out of the Gutter" if it weren't for this release. A band with a great vintage rock'n'roll sound would have passed beneath my radar and I would have been the worse for it.
"Out of the Gutter" has a lot of Guns N'Roses feel to it, with big, thick guitars, soaring vocals and melodies that suck you in from the first note. You'll be pumping your fists and banging your head as you sing along. My favorite songs were the gritty "Take Your Love," "We Won't Be Forgotten" with its arena-rock sound and the opener, "Dancin' With the Devil," which sets the tone for the rest of the collection perfectly.
So don't be disheartened that the music on "Out of the Gutter" is 30 years or so old. Revel in it! Enjoy the sound of music you may not have ever heard if it weren't for Eonian Records. I know I am!
Jones Street: Shawn Crosby – vocals; Jonny Jones – guitar, backing vocals; Mickey Perez – guitar, backing vocals; John J. Jauregui – bass, backing vocals; Rob Hanna – drums (on tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 10); Anthony Focx – drums (on tracks 3, 6, 7, 8, 9).
For more information, check out https://www.eonianrecords.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2022 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
