Junkie Jones

If you remember the first time you heard the raw guitars and nakedly emotional vocals of Joan Jett or Suzi Quattro - and liked the experience - you’ll love The Joys.

The band (formerly POPJOY) recorded this nine-song CD in an atmosphere as close to a live set as one can get in a studio. Marathon sessions with two takes at the most and no overdubbing give the songs that great live show feel.

Though definitely retro, The Joys sound fresh and spanking new. Vocalist and guitarist Sarah Smith delivers her lines with honesty, deftly alternating between toughness and vulnerability. While some of the lyrics best express teen angst, the rest can be surprisingly insightful and hit close to the heart.

“Why” is a great “we won’t be fooled again” song with some original touches in the lyrics:

Kissed on the lips,
by the frog of events
My life is a cliff,
I’m on the very edge of it …
I’m gonna jump

… and naturally, we get fooled again.

“Not Original” is a very original tune with an impressive interplay between instruments and vocals. Tight lead guitar. Great harmony on the chorus. This is just a top-notch performance, one that I’d love to see live.

I could go on and on (surprising with such a stingy number of songs), but I prefer you take the time to listen to The Joys at www.thejoys.ca and then buy the CD. Yeah, I said buy the CD. You’re not getting mine.

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