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Rating: * * * *
The name sounds Spanish; the music sounds Swedish; but these gringos hail from Godzone and deliver wailing, raw rock that delivers a kick in the pants not dissimilar to a shot of tequila.
The tag "garage rock" is often bandied around to describe outfits who have never ventured beyond their plush recording studios. But Los Hories' crackling, stripped back rock 'n' roll is the very definition of garage rock. You can smell the petrol right through this record, which aptly ends with the grunt of a revving engine and shredding screech of tyres.
Full of searing distortion and muffled vocals, it takes a few listens to grow accustomed to the lo-fi sounds but you'll soon find yourself embracing the gritty noisefest, turning it up for another spin.
Fans of the hip-swaggering sound of Swedish rockers The Hives and The Hellacopters will notice distinct similarities on this album, particularly the shout-it-out chorus of Bleed For You and bass-laden Saturday Night. The fuzzy Queenie may take the lo-fi ethos too far - it actually sounds as if someone forgot to turn on a mic somewhere - but the blues-fuelled ramblings of Satisfy and staccato frenzy of Love You Bad more than make amends.
Forget yoga or meditation - this is the ultimate way to destress. It's good for what ails 'ya.
Joanna Hunkin
