Curt Florczak - Scraping By on the Hope of Redemption

 OK, Curt and I have been pals ever since I first discovered his LA punk'n'roll band, the B-Movie Rats, back in the 90's and I have always dug his incredible guitar playing and rock'n'roll sensibilities. He is now based in the Boston area and has been part of that scene for years in several different line ups and with the COVID-enforced downtime, he has recorded'n'released his own personal little blast of rock'n'roll.

This 5-song CD/EP opens up with a burst of Real Kids/Dirty Angels-styled power pop (with an emphasis on power) with ringing/roaring guitars, hooks galore and harmonies a-plenty in "Dead Letter Box". From there we move dramatically to dark'n'gloomy riffs'n'heaviness in "Blood Gumbo" that retains some metallic melody while providing a raucous bottom end and a sweet slide solo. "Take Me to Lost Cities" almost sounds like the Stooges if they cleaned up their act and concentrated on the melodies - I guess kinda like the album Kill City, if I think about it! But, Curt keeps his uniqueness intact and adds a neat break, some more terrific harmonies and a rockin' ending. There's a bit of Wilko Johnson in the R'n'B-ish "Worry Stone" that, of course, can't remain too traditional so he throws in a sorta Tom Verlaine-like solo in it along with a few extra catchy bits before the moody, powerful ballad, "Watch the Worlds Collide", that's maybe kinda Black Crows-ish, for the closer, showing Curt versatility and songwriting talents.

While Curt is one of the best guitarists around, here he doesn't really show off, he just gives the songs just what they need - Chuck Berry riffs, Keith Richards chunky rhythms, punk rock licks, R'n'B-isms, great dynamics and plenty or pure-ass rock'n'roll! The sound is pretty damn terrific throughout, as well - great production, exceptional songwriting (nice way with words as well as rockin' music), terrific singing and, of course, superb git-slinging. Special kudos go to drummers Jared Seakbrook and Darron Burke (who also recorded and mixed the tracks) for backing the man, who did everything else on the record, and to Mike Mariconda for mastering the project.

Anyone who knows this rocker expects nothing less than true coolness from his ventures and this certainly does not disappoint! The only complaint is that it's way too short!