The Screamin' Rays - Attack Of The Screamin' Rays!

Sunday 1st August 1999
The Screamin' Rays - Attack Of The Screamin' Rays!
The Screamin' Rays - Attack Of The Screamin' Rays!

STYLE: Rock
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 5386-2659
LABEL: Metro One MOD8177
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £0.18


Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Potted and extremely incomplete history! A long time ago back in the early '80s, a 15 year old Crystal Lewis fronted a Lone Justice-inspired rockabilly cowpunk band called the 'Wild Blue Yonder'. They released a couple of albums, went to Greenbelt and then disintegrated and Crystal went solo. Years later the heart of that band are still playing rockabilly/swing and with the current swing revival, that sound makes them fashionable once more. Signed to Crystal's Metro One label and featuring the lady herself guesting on vocals here and there, the time has come for the world to beware for the 'Attack Of The Screamin' Rays' is upon us! Swing music is the hottest fad in the USA so expect a flurry of swing albums in the next 12 months but bands will be hard pushed to beat this! This bounces alongs in nifty fashion and fair makes me want to search the charity shops for a zoof suit! Yes, it's good enough to make Rimmer throw sartorial elegance to the wind! From the tub-thumping, horn-buzzing opening 'Someday' featuring Ms Lewis on vocals through to the dying chords of 'Ghost Of Your Love', this is a magnificent album! Moments of ingenuity include the twisted anti-Gospel of 'Don't Wanna Go Down There' about avoiding hell, the fun jive of 'We The Cats' complete with shout along chorus and the sheer pace and life of 'Mr Happy Go Lucky'. The presence of Crystal certainly helps but this is one fun band that has put the smile back on the face of Christian music and a jaunty step back into the feet. Slap it into your stereo and swing swing swing! 

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