Mad Marge & The Stonecutters
Liberated!

This third album by the Mad Marge & The Stone Cutters, a Californian band, is very successful. It offers a modern psychobilly (I take this opportunity to urge those in charge to include it among the de-genres) which is a bit unusual (do not expect continuous retro and b-movie references), easy but effective, made of memorable refrains and intriguing tunes.

Clinging to the energetic vocals of the talented leader Mad Marge, and the captivating sound backdrop of her fellow travelers, this 2007 work, -excluding the use of the double bass, and the usual gelatinous look-, therefore sets aside the various clichés of the genre, except for tackling multiple fronts: from the psychobilly of "Sickness", and "In The Name Of", to fast tracks with a punk attitude, (without clearly overdoing it, we're still talking about psychobilly), like "Hardest Thing", and "Dial Z. For Zombies", reaching to touch rocking moments (such as "Liberation"), and others more graspable and catchy, like the awkward "Don't Put Up A Fight".

Curious approach, and timbre of the frontwoman (great performance on "Drove Me Mad"), which closely resembles two particular names: the early Gwen Stefani of the No Doubt era, [try listening to the lively "No Looking Back"], and the closer -in terms of genre-, Patricia Day of the undeniable Horrorpops, [and here I particularly refer to the engaging "Issues"]. Also noteworthy is the excellent work of drummer Dan, a prime role in a rather lively genre like this.

36 irresistible minutes, for this band with a promising future 4.5