The SpeedBoys,
That's What I Like
(Llist Records, 1981)

From the first spin of the disc, you can guess the major influences of The SpeedBoys: Peter Frampton, Bob Seager and Jimmy Buffet. You can hear it in songs like "Talkin' 'Bout My Baby," the upbeat lament of a man so far from the woman he loves. And in "You Goin' Home Tonight," a foot-tapping honkytonk rock about the after hours -- which is, by the way, the best track on the album.

There are also songs like "That's What I Like" and "Miss My Baby's Cakes," which draw inspiration from rock/blues greats like Stevie Ray Vaughn and B.B. King.

The album provides ten tunes of good, old-sounding rock that any classic rock fan might enjoy. The melodies and use of instruments are right on for the feel of the album. It's music that can get your toes tapping.

The album, however, does leave something to be desired. While the music brings out the classic roots of the rock scene of the late '70s, its lyrical content seems a bit rough at times, with such lines as "Just because you got fish lips doesn't mean you can dance, dear." Also, the uneven use of profanity in the lyrics seems to be a bit out of place.

But mostly, this is just a good old rock album, with a bit of rhythm and blues. There's a good blend of sounds, and it's worth a few spins.

[ by Charlie Gebetsberger ]