Label: Red Car Records (available through Cd baby)
Released: 2004
I picked this one up for $5 after hearing a Charms track (not from this album) on Little Steven’s Underground Garage. I’m guessing the track I heard was newer and that the band has grown a good bit since this one was released.
The first thing that struck me about this six track EP was that I’d heard it before. Only last time the band was Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Seriously, the first two tracks could be right off of Bad Reputation. By the time I got to track four, the Charms had laid off the Joan Jett and decided to do a cover. Ah, “Sweet Jane,” nice. But this song is called “Candy.” What’s up? Oh, I was wrong, it’s their own song, they only stole the good parts from “Sweet Jane.” My bad. Finally, just after the halfway mark, the Charms give me something of what I expected. “So Pretty” is a raw, but catchy garage rocker with a nice dose of organ. The EP finishes up with a pair of non-descript tracks that at least aren’t a complete rip-off of someone else’s sound, but I’m actually thinking I like the Joan Jett stuff it started off with better.
I still have to go back and look up that track Little Steven played. Maybe I’ll try a newer release rather than the cheapest one. I guess sometimes you get what you pay for.
Rating: 4/10