Yep, that's 'Gravy Train!!!!' with four exclamation points. And with the members going under the monikers of Chunx, Funx, Hunx, and Junx - you can tell they're certainly not run-of-the-mill.
Their sound is described as 'queercore' - a particular branch of punk rock to which I've been previously unacquainted with. Essentially we're dealing with a mixture of the sounds of electroclash, coupled with the energy of punk rock, with a certain level of campness that you might expect.
The album art is reminiscent of the last New Young Pony Club offering - retro logotypes on a white background, with a gratuitous band photo (including gold hotpants, no less), and heaps of campiness and retro charm.
The music is bold, unrelenting - the first track kicks in at full velocity, and it never really lets off till the last beat. The songs are relatively short, showing their punk roots. I enjoyed the retro analogue sounds - from the classic organs, through raw sawtooth synths and sojourns through the electro gamut - from raw electro sounds through smoother electro funk organ riffs and guitar licks.
If nothing else, the album is interesting - and in many ways, that makes it good. The no-holds-barred approach is relentless, and the sounds are wild and varied.
The lack of finesse in song writing, and some aspects of the performance, makes me wonder - without these imperfections you'd lose a lot of the soul and energy, but with them your left with something that borders on amateur. It's a difficult line to tread, I fear.
I do love this album. If you're after a electro-neon explosion of energy and raucous youth, you'll probably love it as well. But you won't be able to shake that feeling you only like it because it's ever-so-slightly ironic to do so.
Like Fischerspooner mixed with Cansei der Ser Sexy and a touch of Blondie, turned up to 11. And totally camp with it. Quite fabulous - in more than one sense.
What next?More by Gravy Train!!!!? More reviews? More electro, or pop?