Get ready for a blast from the past.
On their debut album 21st Century Rock, Spanish rockers '77 play an unashamed style of '70s rock, most notably early era AC/DC. Brothers Arman and LG Valeta formed the band as a tribute to their heros. Singer Arman Valeta almost sounds like Bon Scott has risen from the dead to front '77. It's that precise to the late singers voice. Supposedly, all their equipment is from the '70s. They play the exact same model of instruments as the Young brothers and co. play.
But do we need another AC/DC clone? We already have Airbourne. The answer is, why not? What '77 brings is a raw and classic sound of that great time period when High Voltage and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap were released. But they also bring an early '60s British rock flair and an early rock 'n' roll and blues sound as well.
Every song has that Aussie emotion and grit. The ballsy swagger of "Big Smoker Pig," "Less Talk (Let's Rock)" and "Gimmie Rock 'n' Roll" have that true essence of the AC/DC formula. The songs sound like pre-'80s AC/DC to a tee. The highlight of the album is the self-titled closer. It's probably their most original sounding song they've penned on the whole album, and I challenge you to not repeatedly push the replay button over and over again. The song is that good.
I suppose the only criticism of the album is that everything is done the AC/DC way to the textbook. There is no originality or creativity what so ever that will make you be blown away by the band's musicianship. But then, as I mentioned earlier, they don't care to. They are happy doing what they love.
21st Century Rock is a fun record, and '77 are not doing anything new here, and they don't want to. It's just good, fun, loud rock 'n' roll, the way it should be played. They are bringing back a timeless sound for the modern era. Bands like BLACK SABBATH, LED ZEPPELIN and AC/DC have that memorable quality that never gets tiring.
Will there be a backlash of criticism against the band for sounding too much like AC/DC? Of course there will be, but '77 rocks, and that's all that matters.
