El Cento “El Cento”

Secondbridge, 2011

Spartan rock’n’roll played by a trio that are hugely talented, dynamic, and who curtail an urge to overplay. And, yes some of their stuff is a mite quirky as they utilise space between notes in innovative fashion!

• The Dallas act of Don Cento, Earl Darling and Dave Prez aided by guest musician Rich Martin (piano on three cuts) infuse a wide, eclectic feel as excellent use of synth and jangling guitars to go with percussion and drums see to it that there is a continual flow of uninhibited fare. In one quote Cento is compared, vocally to be a mix between Gordon Gano of the Violent Flammes and Terry Hall of the Specials. I can live with that. Cento’s energy and straight ahead spontaneous vocal style would have been a hit back in the late 1970s. Plus, such is his simple electric guitar work the listener can’t help but be drawn to the melodies and up-at-you sparkling lyrics.

• On the occasions they vie towards electronic music, as on the closing track ‘Tide In, Tide Out’, the music possessing hints of Oriental at one point that is so neat I am about to become hooked. Even more, my idea is the opener ‘Kids In Japan’. A funky little number that blends soul, rock and some of the aforementioned fare of punk music’s heyday that stretches on through to the short and sharp playing on ‘Citizen’, then as to prove the boys can and do have the ability to implant a sensitive, cheery feel, ‘Daylight’ lends a genuine feel of how life is good and the pure magic of dawn.

  Of a rock‘n’roll edge ‘I Am A Stereo’ is alive with sharp cheery lyrics and playing; likewise ‘The Book’ has lots of progression to it, alongside a quick, think-on-your-feet ‘Gitchy Young Boots’. Though less intense, ‘Such Little People’ (shades of Randy Newman in the lyrical subject, only he sang about small people), it too is part of the dynamic, creative landscape of a band who will I imagine be an ace live act.