For those not in the know, The Brutalists are a new rock and roll group featuring founding L.A. Guns member Mick Cripps and London Quireboys founder Nigel Mogg.

The group is rounded out by guitarist/vocalist Kent Holmes, bassist Robert Cripps and vocalist/drummer Charlie Nice.

A trans-Atlantic rock group led by industry veterans and former band mates, The Brutalists have just released their self-titled debut album, The Brutalists via Cleopatra Records.

1. 'I Don't Believe A Word'
2. 'Wishing I Was Far Away'
3. 'Form & Function'
4. 'Meet Me Half Way'
5. 'Jungle Nasty'
6. 'Talk Of The Town'
7. 'Look Whatcha Gone and Done'
8. 'Know Your Value'
9. 'Nutter'
10. 'You Got It'
11. 'Enough Of Me' (CD Bonus Track)
12. 'Drinking Alone' (CD Bonus Track)

The album, a mix of the members' influences from the dirty, leering blues of pub rock to the urgency of street punk and the synthesized dance ennui of post-punk, kicks off in some fine style with the foot-tappin' beauty 'I Don't Believe A Word.'

Next up is guitar heavy, late '60s / early '70s sound of 'Wishing I Was Far Away' which is followed by both the groovy finger-snappin' 'Form & Function' and then one of the best songs on the album, the ska-lite 'Meet Me Halfway.'

Guitar rock comes back around within 'Jungle Nasty,' which is backed by more foot-tappin', mid-'70s pop vibe on both 'Talk Of The Town' and 'Look Whatcha Gone and Done.' The drumtastic beats of 'Know Your Value' is a free flowing beauty of a cut and then another flashback era cut comes forth in the R&B soul of 'Nutter.'

The sound gets harder, as do the guitars on 'You Got It,' which it has to be said has the power within it that I fully expected to hear throughout this entire album. The late '90s sway of 'Enough Of Me' is next and then the album rounds out with more R&B on the robustly upbeat piano-led 'Drinking Alone.'

Amazon CD Purchase Link

www.CleopatraRecords.com