The Parkas "Put Your Head In The Lion's Mouth" (Saved By Vinyl 2007)

Slow burning second effort from energetic Canadians

It is of course said that first impressions count for everything. On first listen, Toronto's The Parkas' sophomore album sounds like a terrible Stones pastiche sung by a less enunciated Julian Casablancas clone. Thankfully, by the second or third listen, it becomes apparent that 'Put Your Head....' is a top quality rock and roll album, played by a band who are not averse to cranking their guitars and just having a good time.I challenge anyone who loves good rock and roll to listen to 'Raggedy Ann' without nodding their head in knowing approval.

The Parkas are more than aware of rocks long lineage from The Stones and The New York Dolls through to the modern purveyors of guitar rock, and they know how to use that history to their advantage. True, the band aren't doing anything particularly original, but they do what they do with panache. Light and shade is provided by the odd synth accompaniment or female harmony vocal.The Parkas succeed where bands like The Killers miserably fail, by successfully assimilating their influences into their sound and coming out the other end with something that is not just mere homage.

Allegedly the band nearly imploded while touring their first album. It can only be hoped that they manage to keep a healthy creative tension to go on and produce many more albums of the quality of 'Put Your Head In The Lion's Mouth'.

Date review added:  Monday, June 18, 2007
Reviewer:  Dan Wilkinson
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Artist Website