Pale Lips/the Sorels
Do The Rum Bar Rumble
The Sorels: Yeah, The Sorels came to rock, but they're not above crank-calling your crush while you're in the bathroom (not unlike your beloved junior high friend group). The band's video for their new single, "She's in the Gang," is just the kind of joyful rock 'n' roll romp the world needs now-and it's no wonder the good vibes have come from Canada. It's hard not be instantly recruited into their club. Canadian, yes. But don't call the band "polite." The Sorels' self-titled debut seven-inch EP, released by Montreal/Saskatoon-based Reta Records in July 2019, is brassy-catchy-cool. Think Chuck Berry riffage, lots of fuzz, and feisty gang vocals that get you cheering into your hairbrush. You'll clap. You'll toe-tap. Perhaps you'll even play air guitar or perform an epic phantom-piano-jab for the books. The slow and deliberate "School Girl Blues" B-side is a nice contrast, trading the band's "good time rock 'n' roll" vibe for a slinky, more dangerous New York Dolls snarl. Pale Lips: The four rockers who make up Pale Lips-Jackie Blenkarn (vocals), Jamie Radu (bass, backing vocals), Ilona Szabo (guitar, backing vocals), and Lynn Poulin (drums)-are a true-life girl gang hellbent on having a good time (and making sure we get in on the action too!). With a sly wink to the past, the celebrated Canadian group offer up a fun loving cocktail of Ramones-style humor, Undertones sweetness and Nikki and the Corvettes sass. Yes, Pale Lips may have whipped up the cure to our collective couch potato malaise. Hunker down, crank it up!