The Real Kids Shake … Outta Control

It's been 38 years since Boston's Real Kids debuted with the finest rock'n'roll record ever committed to tape, and now they're back with a long-awaited new full-length on legendary hometown label Ace Of Hearts and Canada's Ugly Pop. 'Shake...Outta Control' is a fantastic return to form, a strong set of powerful, memorable and engaging songs that do absolute justice to this band's legacy. While some bands lose track of their own soul in forced attempts at progression, and others risk diminishing returns by simply treading the water of their earlier work, 2014 finds the Real Kids negotiating this path beautifully. Boasting both the raw energy and tough hooks of 1977. Producer Rick Harte guides with an expert hand, integrating Hammond organ and pedal steel seamlessly into a full yet suitably unpolished whole, and the songs run the gamut from quieter but intense ballads like a definitive new 'Common At Noon' and a sublime take on Jonathan Richman's 'Fly Into The Mystery' to fast-paced rockers like 'All Night Boppin'' (powered along by highly caffeinated barroom piano) and of course the instant classic title track, a high-energy gem anchored by the sort of classic Boston punk rock'n'roll riff that made this band's name. Culminating in an incendiary 'Who Needs You?', this is a genuine Real Kids record that will thrill new fans and old alike.