REVIEW The Spinouts - "Crusin' at Night" Marijn Raiijmaker, The BlackCat Rockabilly, November 2001 www.rockabilly.nl Do they sound like Elvis Presley, Johnny Burnette or Carl Perkins? No they don't, they really sound like The Spinouts, and still they play authentic rockabilly music. So, what's the catch? Well, there is no catch, these guys are just great musicians with fresh ideas. They write all their own stuff and developed their own style within the limits of traditional rockabilly. Although there are four faces, it's actually a three piece band 'cause Mike and Tony take turns on the double bass. Pete's voice, with lotsa additional echo, is perfect for rockabilly music and Lou's lead guitar doesn't sound like Eddie Cochran at all (as many would expect from a Gretsch). He's got his own way of doin' things, and not one song sounds like the other. The double bass is loud and clear, but not "overdone", like with many modern rockabilly bands. Whether it's Mike or Tony on the bass, it's equally greasy. Of course Tony is a very active player at Golly Gee, he also handles the bass for The Rebel Rockers and Ralph Rebel. There is a lot of variety in the rhythm of the songs, all rockabilly based, and there are no ballads on this album. Somehow just about every band seems to think that they must include one or two ballads. I tend to disagree, I usually skip the ballads all together. Some might claim that the bluesy "I'm A Dog" is kind of a ballad, but it also has an uptempo part, and a thumping bass. All in all, I would say this is a fabulous album, and for what I have heard so far from Golly Gee Records, I must say that this label is really going strong. ================= The Spinouts are considered one of the hottest Long Island rockabilly bands playing the East Coast circuit. They combine all the ingredients that make rockabilly work: They know the history, they have the look, their musicianship is first-rate and, hell, they rehearse in a pizza shop. The upright bass gives the music character. A big, round, fat, percussive, rhythmic sound. Ludovico is hanging at the back bar, a cigarette dangling from his lip, a spare behind his ear. His wedding ring is hanging from a plumbers' chain around his neck. Ludovico gyrates, rocks and swivels as he hiccups and growls through a rootsy rock gem. The guys have captured R&B's backbeat, country's jittery edge and boogie woogie's horniness. The Cruisin at Night album spans the panorama of American pop - blues, folk, rock and even a little jazz - with Ludovico often deconstructing the style by drumming off the beat and writing in minor chords. They've created their own community, one that pays ironic homage to the rebellion against the simpler life to which they now aspire. This is a perfect world. And this is the perfect soundtrack.