Living Things

Just when everyone is throwing down for the Hawkins brothers of The Darkness, it’s time to give it up for the brothers Berlin of Living Things, the best AC/DC disco/70’s arena rockers without Dragon Pants this side of Electric Six.

On their Steve Albini produced debut, Ahead of the Lions, Living Things rekindle a Stooges/MC5 riot rock energy with them, that muscles up the glam inklings their Marc Bolan side pokes out. Obvious to the mischievous aim of their beat, Living Things offer little in the way of lyrics, but instead a heavy serving of balls to the wall guitar hero riffs that would fit into "School of Rock 101. "

The thunderous "Bombs Below" is already a radio staple, while the hip shaking Angus Young riff from "Bom Bom Bom," proves Living Things can spice up something about as old as the term "disco rock" in 2005. However, there is two sides to the story, and melodic rockers like "New Years" and "Keep It Till You Fold" sound like lost 90’s grunge rock anthems left on the Lollapalooza side stage. However, listen to the straight-ahead rock of "March In Daylight" and "On All Fours," and you’ll know why Living Things may very well be a radio staple in 2006.