Jukebox of Maladies is the new album from The Blue Hearts and is being launched nationally on the 21^st of October. Alongside a new line-up, the band are also showcasing a brand new sound, citing influences as diverse as Kasabian and The Doors, a real step up from the beats of their first album Lullaby for the Lost.

The sound has been dubbed ‘Neon Rock’ and with good reason. While they retain much of the classic rock rhythms, with established pop hooks and provocative lyrics, they manage to weave in some ethereal harmonies that add great depth to their sound. Yet, unlike so many contemporary groups that attempt to create the great new genre, The Blue Hearts have lost nothing of what makes a classic song and, consequentially, a well crafted album.

Opening the album is Silver Dollar Girl, in many respects it could fit easily into The Doors classic Morrison’s Hotel album, yet the driving rhythm is broken up by pop-esque interludes that, no doubt, make it perfect for today’s radio play. The title track, Jukebox of Maladies, features some classy bass lines and a dreamy, whacked out guitar play that gives it the air of a summer psychedelic rock classic. Lead vocalist, Bob Powell, has a great, driving power in his voice that he manipulates wonderfully on Ballad of a Bad Boy. Though my personal favourite track is Snake Oil Sam – a real gritty and dirty track that any bluesman would be moodily proud of.

Rock n’ roll for the modern age, well needed and divinely delivered. For more information on The Blue Hearts, and I heartily recommend checking them out and getting the new album once it’s released on the 21^st of October, please visit their website: http://www.bluehearts.co.uk