THE PRESS RELEASE: “Rookie is six matching jumpsuit-clad, shaggy-haired friends from Chicago who play rock ’n’ roll that’s more at home next to their parents’ battered LPs than on their friends’ streaming playlists. Their self-titled, debut full-length album deftly reformats the classic rock landscape with blowtorch hooks, enthralling harmonies, evocative touches of cosmic country, and distinctively indie-minded songwriting. Rookie’s modern take on timeless American rock ‘n’ roll pulls from all corners of the sonic map, it’s familiar but fresh, lived-in but blown-out. It’s the ’70s/’80s pop-rock sheen of Cheap Trick, three-minute precision songwriting of Big Star, loose Neil Young Americana, and hazey, psych-flavored boogie of The Allman Brothers and Thin Lizzy. Though barely able to comfortably fit on most stages, once they’re plugged in and smooshed together it’s a potent blend of power chords, blistering leads, and performance prowess beyond their years.”
MY TWO CENTS: Originality and innovation are all well and good. But sometimes the old ways are best. Especially if you do them right. And when you’re talking about classic ’70s rock and power-pop, these Chicagoans nail them — right down to the chunky guitar riffs, arena-sized hooks, singalong melodies and fully landscaped harmonies. Dig out your bell bottoms, feather your hair and score this on vinyl — but only because cassettes and 8-tracks aren’t available.
