Get ready for the grooviest album of the 1950s, as ‘Built For Speed’ by the Stray Cats tops the charts with that sensational sound of rock and roll that’s taken the nation by storm! Pioneers of rockabilly as a genre, they paved the way for many other greats to take their place as the kings of rock.
Except for the fact that this album came out June 1st, 1982
That’s right, as slicked back as their hair is in front of those muscle cars on the album’s cover, the Stray Cats were formed in 1979. Unlike many other bands I’ve talked about in previous reviews, mixing rockabilly influences into contemporary genres, the Stray Cats are pure, 100% rock and roll, sticking out like a sore thumb in the electronic age of the ‘80s.
The Stray Cats mention this rejection of “modern” music directly in their first song on this album, ‘Rock This Town.’ As lead singer Brian Setzer tells listeners about his ‘50s themed night on the town, he meets “a real square cat/he looks a 1974.” It might not mean much on its own, but in the music video for ‘Rock This Town,’ eagle-eyed viewers will be able to spot legendary parody songwriter ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic as the “square cat” Setzer refers to. Yankovic then tries to steal Setzer’s date, only to be beaten up on the dance floor as Setzer and the band finish the song. It’s a hilarious video, and a must-watch while listening to the album.
All in all, the Stray Cats are a silent favorite of mine. They’re a treat to listen to for any fans of classic rock and roll, and the ‘50s elements in ‘80s quality are sure to entice the ear of both parents and grandparents.
A common theme with each of these reviews I’ve done is that they’ve all been focused on bands, and never individual artists. Next review, however, an ‘Unforgettable’ singer gets mixed into my melting pot of albums, bringing with him a much-needed touch of old world class that’ll make you ‘Smile.’
