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In the final days of 2017, I kept seeing everyone on my social media feeds post their favorite movies of 2017. Now that’s a lot of f’n people. On Twitter alone, I follow literally thousands of actual real, non-robot accounts. Every day, I swiped by another Top 10 Movies of 2017 list. I toyed with the idea of being a basic bitch and posting my own, but instead, my brain trained in another direction.
I wondered why I hadn’t seen any Top 10 lists of music from 2017? I’m sure there were a million lists like that posted by social media users all over the world, just none that I came across. I started to really think about what music came out not only in 2017, but in the last couple of years. Did any song or album have enough of an impact on me that would’ve inspired me to compile a “best of” list? It’s pretty sad, but I’m sitting here so hard pressed to come up with even a few albums or songs that I absolutely loved in the last couple of years. I sure as hell can’t give you my Top 10 Albums or singles of 2017. 2018 on the other hand seems to have already turned the corner on two wheels!
To estimate, I’d say more than half of you think I’m absolutely crazy while the others are still listening to the Mega-Mutant-Monster-Meltdown-Mix CD they made for their car in 2002. It was killer then, probably still killer now. I don’t judge you. Either way, for both sides, I submit to you that popular music is in dire need of one of those legendary nights out…you know, the kind where you don’t get home until 6 AM and there’s a whole Mac makeup counters worth of lipstick on varying parts of your body. Don’t remember much, but at this point, who cares – it was a blast. Sometimes you need that kind of night, one that you hope never ends. The music blasting on the car stereo the whole time, in some kind of old Mustang, (probably stolen of course) is by Tommy London.
This brings me to a brand new song called “Sugar Red,” the debut single from Tommy London.
I hit play and the atmospheric, punchy build-up brought to mind AC/DC’s “TNT.” That intro sucked me right in and there was no turning back. I felt like I was flying down the highway with this baby blasting. London’s melodic vocals compare to the best solo stuff from David Lee Roth, think “Just Like Paradise.” F*ck I really dig this.
It’s infectious. Producer John Fields helped provide a retro fabric with flashes of nostalgic pop, yet it packs enough power for fans of harder edged music. It’s easy to pick up on the swagger of Tommy’s former band The Dirty Pearls, while new elements are infused flawlessly. Perhaps unintentionally, there’s even a bit of a “Blue Orchid” (The White Stripes) feel to it. Influences aside, this track is amped up and in a lean and mean 3 minutes, it single handedly resuscitated my favorite genre of music.
This is arena rock at it’s best. “Sugar Red,” is perfectly orchestrated for the crowd to clap along to its thunderous beat. It indulged the spirit of a kid like me who grew up with infectious pop, rock, hip-hop, and metal. From my own personal musical background, the songs I loved most growing up made me want to go wild, not get all mopey and introspective. We’re firing on all cylinders with this one and I can’t stop listening.
Tommy London is a magnetic guy, the cool one. If you can imagine combining the DNA of Danny Zuko, James Dean, and Arthur Fonzarelli with the musical stylings of Roth-era VH and Jesse and The Rippers, that’s him. It may sound convoluted, but I know you’re picking up what I’m laying down. With a description like that you might think he’s destined for the cover of Tiger Beat, but think more along the lines of Rolling Stone.
What I liked most about listening to “Sugar Red,” was that it made me want to get into some trouble. That kind of misbehavin’ needs a soundtrack. It’s been a while since I’ve heard new music with that vibe. The song wears it’s influences like patches and pins all over its denim vest. Infusing a cross section of party rock and roll, Tommy London and fellow writer and guitarist Matt Hogan have whipped up a tasty jam, the rock music personification of a sweet Cherry Slurpee spiked with your favorite liquor and a few surprise Red Hots at the bottom of the cup. As an introduction of what’s to come from Tommy London, “Sugar Red,” is quite a tease that’ll leave you wanting the rest of the album jammed into your earholes ASAP. BTW, I just started compiling my Top 10 Songs of 2018 list and “Sugar Red” is right on top.
