'3 Item Combo' is the latest album from Los Angeles band THE CONDORS, and follows on from their 2007 release of 'Wait For It'. With this sort of gap between albums, they should have possibly been titled the other way around, however '3 Item Combo' has been worth the weight, as this power trio produce some mighty fine tracks on this outing.
The band was formed in 2000 and currently comprises Pat 'Pooch' DiPuccio, who is the main songwriter, vocalist and guitar player,plus Mario 'Miggs' Dileva on bass, and Mark Francis White on drums. The music on this CD falls within the new wave guitar band category, although the band describe it as a “blend of pop and punk”.
Opening with 'Here I Go', a track that has overtones of early Mink DeVille, this is the perfect starter. The lyrics are clever, bemoaning that fact that Pat is playing matchmaker and peacemaker between friends and partners, and is always stuck in the middle in a difficult situation: - “ Conspiracy! I knew the time would come. Just as expected. How could I be so dumb?/ Common interests will be my downfall. I should be protective, ‘cause after all/ It seems to happen between my friends, I introduce them, and in the end/ Here I go, stuck in the middle, Here I go, stuck in the middle, Here I go stuck in the middle again.”
As an opening track this basically sets the standard, and a high one at that for all that is to follow on the album. The types of track run from the punkier 'Queer Fascination', 'Angry Little Man', and 'Full Blown Love Attack', to the more anthemic rock tracks, such as 'Holiday', each manages to hit the listener in the right spot.
The standout trackd for me were definitely 'Bad Tattoo', which has a guitar riff sounding very similar to Johnny Thunders' 'In Cold Blodd', yet manages to stick some cool bluesy harmonica in there, mixed with lyrics warning his girl of mixing with the wrong people: - “You got a bad tattoo on your arm. With his slick, black, words and his piercing charm/ He’s got his heart’s needle stuck in you. Well, Honey, what’s you doin’ with that bad tattoo?/ So, you thought you’d stake your claim to a dangerous type/ But you fell into a trap by believing the hype/ That still waters run deep, but you ain’t got a clue/ Well, Honey, what’s you doin’ with that bad tattoo?”
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Other tracks that were bang on target were 'Angry Little Man', a punky thrash with some pointed lyrics about a nasty little character who makes up for lack of stature with over-aggressiveness: - “Uptight Wanna fight.All bark No bite, Looking ready to ignite, Like a stick of dynamite/ Short fuse miscues, Nothing but bad news, He likes to abuse, Don’t question his views/ He goes about his business the only way he can/ But to everyone around he’s just an angry little man.” This is the sort of chap we've all been unfortunate to meet at some time or other, and the lyrics show how people become that way: - “And throughout all history, since the world began the scared and the small become authoritarian.”
This is a really likeable album, and if your tastes run to new wave and punky pop, then this will be the combo to whet your appetite.
The Condors online
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