With a sound reminiscent of early albums by the Black Keys and vocals that wouldn’t be out of place at a late 20th century rock concert, Nick and the Ovorols’ album Telegraph Taboo is a mix of moving rock ballads and upbeat blues tunes.
Nick Peraino made the shift to being a front man in 2011 and now, alongside Vic Jackson, Lance Lewis and Carlos Showers, he’s showcasing his talent for the revival of bluesy Americana.
The album kicks off with “Take The V Train”, a punchy tune which instantly sets the tone for the rest of the album. It’s closely followed by “Chitown Via Greyhound”, which starts off slowly, building up to a blast of rusty guitar noise and minimal vocals.
“Heed The Words I Say” and “Mr President” are both fairly unspectacular. They both have pretty impressive guitar riffs, but everything surrounding the riffs doesn’t lend itself in favour of originality.
“Honey, Please” ups the anti again, with a more upbeat tune with a really strong beginning, in a similar way to “Half Of Two”, which incorporates a bouncing bass line, simple drumbeat and female backing singers, effortlessly bluesy.
After a slow beginning, the drums kick in and make “Try Me” a memorable tune, anthem-like with its twangy guitar and repetitive refrain.
“Day To Day” takes a different tack in the form of a nostalgic ballad, showcasing Peraino’s smooth vocals while crooning ‘Living ain’t so easy / Life can leave you cheated”. The single electric guitar and lack of drums give the track a relaxed, stripped-back vibe.
The album wraps up with the instrumental “Soundtrack To Life”, in which the soaring, gritty guitars play in close harmony before fading off and ending Telegraph Taboo on a content, satisfied note.
