Citizen Charlie – Up Yours
Rocksector Records 2010
Release date – 11th October 2010
When I first met Charlie of ‘Citizen Charlie’, I could immediately sense that she had ‘something’ about her. I couldnt place what it was, but it was there. It was drawing me in. She seemed to be a very laid back lady who just had a rock star look about her. I hadn’t heard Citizen Charlie’s music previous to the first time I saw them, b ut when I did i was mesmerized! This girl and her band rocked, simple as that.
Fast forward on a few months and I receive the copy of the album from Rocksector Records and I could not wait to here what it was like. Charlie’s attitude on this record makes Courtney Love seem like one of the Spice Girls in comparison.. The raw sound of her voice is addictive. It draws you in and makes you listen. The tracks have so much balls they, simply make you start tapping your foot…then the head starts to nod and before you know it, your bouncing off the walls!
Charlie seems to portray a strong personality on the album without forcing the issue. This is because she is comfortable with her persona enough to go out and say ‘fuck you’ to whatever comes her way.
The entire album is downright ballsy, rough and grimy with its blues driven riffage, but at the same time, Charlie captivates the listener with her infectious snarling vocals, which both work together in a perfect partnership. A good example of this is the standout track on the album - ’Up Yours’. But dont be deceived in to thinking that the album is all balls to the wall, when tracks like ‘So what to do’ are simply seductive. Charlie’s vocal style is simply breathtaking in its simplicity with out needing to show off.
This has been a difficult album to review, but thats a good thing. It is so tricky to categorize this band and to me that is a fantastic feature. Most bands these days can be pigeon-holed in to a sub-genre and it can ruin the appeal. Your better off going and buying this release and let it blow your mind….Believe me, it will.
