WHITE BOY AND THE AVERAGE RAT BAND
Self-Titled
Unsigned/Self-Released
Originally released more than thirty years ago, this lost eighties gem has finally resurfaced in the vein of a remastered reissue in several different formats. The album itself was something quite stellar. Some might call it a collection of covers as one reviewer in Metal Archives stated just a few years ago. Though I would argue that there is a bit more to the band than mere Judas Priest, Motorhead and Sabbath covers with a bit of sprinkling on top. “Neon Warriors” adds some punk flavor to the Priest and Sabbath mish-mash, while “Sector 387” sounds like blues rock mixed in with synthwave, close to what we’d expect from Killing Joke during their early years, though without the ZZ Top feel. “Maybe I’m A Fool” definitely has that Motorhead vibe, while “The Prophet Song” certainly feels like classic Sabbath. Not that any of it’s done terribly, it just is what it is. Even the progressive jam session incorporated in the latter cut sounds exactly like something Sabbath would have attempted at the time. A classic blues cut like “Smokehouse Blues” comes off sounding a bit odd from these guys, but it sounds so weird that you can’t quite ignore it either. White Boy and The Average Rate Band might either be one of the most original acts, or one of the weirdest tribute acts I’ve ever heard in my life. Rumor has it that now that the band are back together, they’re working on a follow-up to this and I’d certainly be game to hear that one too. There’s a great sense of heat and warmth to this one, making it ideal on cold nights such as the one during which this review is being written. Plus, despite the fact that many of these tracks sound a bit similar to other artists, the damn thing is wonderfully catchy. I can’t say that about too many records of late. White Boy and The Average Rat Band bring the genre back to it’s roots, which so many seem to have shamefully forgotten. There’s definitely some class here, that’s for sure. (The Grim Lord)