Pack of Lies

Established: 1992 as a rhythm'n'blues band. First song rehearsed: 'stop breaking down'. First gig: Genoa 1992 at the quot;No Commentquot;. First love: the Rolling Stones. First live recording: quot;You Gotta Movequot; (CD - 2000). First studio album: quot;Sweet Dancerquot; (CD - 2005). Since 2000 the line up has remained unchanged: the band is composed by Zac (vocals, guitars and harmonica), Alberto (bass), Gian (saxophone), Guido (drums and percussions), and Barbon (guitar and slide). Through all these years the band performed all around Italy, in pubs, clubs, festivals and even wedding parties. In 2005 they recorded their album 'sweet dancer', which contained twelve songs written by the members of the group, and revealed influences by the likes of Rolling Stones, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Little Feat, Muddy Waters, The Clash, and Dylan. In February 2008 the band recorded their second studio album, entitled: 'A Pack Of Lies', out now (october 2008). There was a time. Yes, there was a time when musicianship was important. A band wouldn't release a record until they got it right. None of those half arsed demos that escape into MySpace like they do today. Hope you like it? Hope you can remember it 30 seconds after it has finished, more like. Whilst listening to this album by Les Trois Tetons - who turned out to be Italian although you'd never guess - the first impression gained was that this album did not appear to be a modern album. The essence of seventies rock music has been distilled into this particular music potion and there's plenty of hardcore guitar to enliven tracks like 'Useful Servants' and 'Disappear'. However the best thing about this album was the variety on show. Maybe it was a side effect of drawing on the most creative part of rock's history for influences but this album keeps you interested right through to the end. For example, 'Surrender to the Joy' even turns this band unexpectedly towards REM territory before 'Cherry Red' and 'Can't Be Trusted' add some Tom Waits style sleaze. Music as it used to be done. Music as it should be done. This album shows Les Trois Tetons as a band of many classic rock influences but it also shows them as top class musicians who make the kind of music that gets your foot tapping just like it did when you were young, dumb and full of beer. It's good time music but it will still accommodate those civilised tastes that you may have acquired over the years. The final test of any good rock album is the air guitar test. This one passed with flying colours. Review by: The Bluesbunny Independent Music Reviews.