The Stray Cats - 40 (2019)

The Stray Cats, what more can be said about them? Many people consider them the band that brought Rockabilly back to the charts. While they may have been the band with the most success, they were far from the only band doing the Rockabilly thing at the time. But one can’t deny that they definitely were the band that brought it into the charts, and eventually into millions of homes around the world.


A decade later lead vocalist, guitarist, and main songwriter Brian Setzer would once again do the same trick with the big band and Swing formula. Once again, while he was far from the only one in town doing the style, he was the one getting the credit for it all. But let’s not totally forget Squirrel Nut Zippers and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies.

I first grew interested in the Cats when they first arrived, but my love for them became really deep when Setzer went solo. He became an all-time favorite for me with his Live Nude Guitars (EMI, 1988).

So I followed Setzer and the Cats from that release on. The Cats have stopped and started up numerous times over the years. Each time with varying degrees of success. Blast Off! (EMI, 1989) was their closest to gaining what they had been, but it still lacked some of the magic. Choo Choo Hot Fish (JRS, 1992) completely missed the mark, with some interesting songs, but nothing that came close to what one would expect from The Stray Cats. The band seemed more interested in experimentation than they were in just giving the world great Rockabilly.

So when the Cats announced recently that they had entered the studio again for the first time since the Choo Choo album, I was a little hesitant. I was holding out hope on the strength of Setzer’s releases over the years between the two releases, but was still not as excited as I was when Blast Off! Was released.

So what follows are my initial reactions to the album once I finally got ahold of the dang thing. I wanted to purchase it from a store, not through online, for some reason. I finally found the album at my trusty Toad Hall Records in Rockford, Illinois. I ran (drove) home with it and instantly threw it on and sat back for a listen.

"Cat Fight Over A Dog Like Me": I guess this is the “single.” This one carries a pretty classic Cats sound. Fitting in well with the early material, even prior to Blast Off. In fact, it carries more of a true Rockabilly sound than most of Rant N Rave. A nice way to start the album.

"Rock It Off": Setzer is channeling Eddie Cochran for the verses on this one. The chorus is more straight-forward. The selling point for this song is the verse. Two straight-up Rockabilly tunes. A nice basic solo with this one. Playing to fit, not to show off. I like this one the most so far.

"I’ve Got Love If You Want It": This one is making me think of something that would be a b-side from the Knife Feels Like Justice sessions. A Rockabilly tune written by that version of Setzer. His voice is reminding me of that era. This is also the least Rockabilly so far. Great song, but stepping slightly away. The album keeps getting stronger.

"Cry Danger": “Day Tripper”? Further away from Rockabilly we get. Co-written with Mike Campbell probably has something to do with that. I find it interesting that it takes a secondary co-writer to help him borrow the “Day Tripper” riff.

So far this is better than Rock Therapy, Blast Off!, or Choo Choo Hot Fish.

"I Attract Trouble": A slower, plodding, gang fight sounding slab of a tune. One of those tunes that would have worked great as a duet with Lux Interior if he were still with us. It brings up images of dark alleys, cigarette smoke, hot dames, and switchblades.

"Three Time’s A Charm": Good ol’ early Gonna Ball era Cats. Not much else needs to be said. A tip of the hat to all the Rockabilly greats, but still with that Cats style.

"That’s Messed Up": Slower to mid-tempo suffling number. Total classic style, a nice mover that shines with the guitar tone, where that becomes the star.

"When Nothings Going Right": A fairly non-Rockabilly tune. If there was a country accent this tune would walk very close to a more modern Country number. I’m not too sure what to think about this one. I will either be skipping this one down the road, or it will sink into my head and become a favorite (although I doubt it). Probably the most disposable number on here so far.

Oh, just saw it is a Lee Rocker number. Sorry Lee.

"Desperado": Spaghettibilly! Yes, Spaghetti Western with a dash of Rockabilly. This one is an instrumental. We will see how wild Setzer decides to get with this one. Will there be flash or a nice easy going lead? So far nice and fitting. Nice! He never gets out of control and lets the mood and tone win out.

"Mean Pickin’ Mama": (writing two songs early to say there had better be some killer guitar flash here) Nice shuffle and swing Rockabilly, more ‘billy than the Rock, but still a great tune.

"I’ll Be Looking Out For You": Cool riff using the Setzer punk mindset with a nicely over-driven guitar and a “chorus” that is closer to something from early 80s Punk than most anything else. Cool number that is a unique tune on this album.

"Devil Train": A galloping number that fits the name. A little Western in that gallop. I would have hoped for a little more energy on the ending number, but we will see where it goes. But I expect it will not go anywhere else. Cool tune, but not what I would choose to close with.

On that first listen the album is worlds better than Choo Choo Hot Fish. Is it better than Blast Off!? That’s a tough one to say. That album definitely has some great tracks that have almost gotten better with time. Blast Off! is closer to Live Nude Guitars in feel and attitude for me, so that also wins out. Time will obviously be the true test, but for a band that has had a tumultuous career, this is a fine album to return on. It pays attention to each member and sounds fairly fresh, aside from one blatant Beatles riff rip-off too many.