The debut from these Australian rockers established the blueprint for much of what would follow on MARS NEEDS GUITARS and BLOW YOUR COOL: jangly, hook-laden power pop delivered with just the right amount of aggressive garage energy. The opener, "I Want You Back," with its driving rhythm, sing along backups, and minor key, "Stepping Stone"-like chord progressions, heralds the Gurus' irresistible pop craft like a cannon blast. While singer-songwriter Dave Faulkner may wear his melodic-'60s-guitar rock-a la-The Byrds-and-The Beatles, late-'70s punk, roots-rock influences on his sleeve, he manages to synthesize these elements flawlessly into a hard-hitting, tuneful amalgam that is no less enjoyable for its familiarity.
Darkly edgy, riff-driven jams such as "Dig It Up" and (Let's All) Turn On," conjure The Cramps, whereas "My Girl" evokes Top-40 bubblegum tunefulness, and the flat-out rock & roll of "I Was a Kamakazi Pilot" touches everyone from the Stones to The New York Dolls. The Hoodoo Gurus follow closely in the footsteps of their musical forebears, but do so with enough skill, inventiveness, and attitude to make the mix delectable. STONEAGE ROMEOS is the first of the group's several fine albums.
Professional Reviews
Uncut (p.76) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Twenty-plus years on, everything from wacky Cramps rip 'Dig It Up' to chaotic call-to-arms 'Be My Guru' sound great."
