A while ago a mate gave me the thumbs up about Blondie Drummer Clem Burke's new band Empty Hearts. I figured anything Burke's involved in is gonna be top shelf stuff - and how right I was this time.
The Hearts formed in early 2014 as a supergroup of sorts, comprising Chesterfield Kings bassman Andy Babuik, Elliott Easton (The Cars) on guitar, Burke and Wally Palmer (The Romantics) out front on vocals.
"90 Miles Down a Dead End Street" kicks things off at a frenetic pace with some focussed intent, lots of “na na na's added in. Easton's killer riff helps blast-off single "I Don't Want Your Love" off. A chorus you only dream about follows.
"Fill an Empty Heart" is a change of pace with some swirling Hammond playing from the late and truly great Ian Maclagan, which recalls The Box Tops at their best. A song called "Soul Deep" is on here as well, keeping the nods going in Alex Chilton’s direction.
The twangy, feel good "I Found You Again" has some catchy call-and-response harmonies and Mac popping up again on the keys. If you love The Yardbirds (and who in their right mind doesn't?) then "Meet Me Round The Corner" won't dissapoint with some Keith Relf-like harp blasting over the top.
Anyway, this little powerpop beauty clocks in at about 43 minutes which is ,just enough to get you thinking about the next one (or an Australian tour please). The album even might keep you going back to listen to all the great stuff these guys have done in the past and, in my case, discovering The Chesterfield Kings properly.
