Tooth & Nail Records have perfected their knack of unearthing hardworking garage bands with a strong local following and elevating them to a nationwide status. When they went a-shoppin' for a great swing/rockabilly band (to capitalize on the current trend helped along by the now famous Levi's "swing" ad) their wheels took them to Ypsilanti, Michigan, the home of The Deluxtone Rockets.
Hard-hitting, confident, and subtly humorous, The Deluxtone Rockets' self-titled debut could easily become my favorite Saturday Night Album for 1999. The rhythm section of Jimmy Dean's upright bass and the driving beat of Jason "J.J." Sorn on drums rocks in such a hurry, it can barely hang on for the horn section's breaks. What keeps this band from derailing is lead-vocalist Johnny "The Ace" Rocketti who sounds like the definitive rockabilly frontman with traces of Johnny Cash and Brian Setzer (of Stray Cats fame). Like The W's, The Deluxtone Rockets' faith is evident if you look for it in the lyrics, but not so pronounced that it distinguishes them from general market swing bands at the first listen.
In a genre like rockabilly which can easily fall prey to sounding the same, The Deluxtone Rockets' debut beat the odds with a surprisingly varied and even recording with superb production. If they are any bit as good on compact disc as they are live, do yourself a favor and hunt down some tickets for their 45-city tour with The Calicoes this fall and winter.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
ReAL Magazine 1999Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksThe Deluxtone Rockets are a swing/rockabilly band from western Michigan with a little 50's bebop thrown in for good measure. Their self-titled debut album came out this summer from Tooth and Nail records. The band's influences include some of the classics: Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Buddy Holly. Their sound is unbelievably tight, stopping on a dime and jumping up for more. If you're not tapping your…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Steven S. BaldwinSwing's the thing and every hip record label is eager to jump on this happening style sweeping the radio waves. Although better known for an assortment of louder bands from punk to hardcore bands, Tooth and Nail's contribution to the swing genre is a debut release by The Deluxtone Rockets. True to the label's history of offering bands in bombastic form, the Rockets represent swing with a mighty…The Phantom Tollbooth 1999Reviewed by Shari LloydPrepare to jump up and boogie. Nonstop rocking swing similar to The W's---there are no lulls in the music, and every track will have you jumping. These guys are even better live with their "Ring of Fire" and "Dicey's" bass antics. See them if they come to your area. Meanwhile, this is a fun toe tappin', finger snappin' album. 3.5 tocks
