The opening strains of Ballad of a Misspent Youth (MRG Records) by Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts reminds me of old KISS. It’s the sound of the guitars. There is a bit of The Black Crowes thrown in for good measure. It’s hard driving and pop-ish with a punk tinge. The guitars are simple yet sonically pleasing. The album continues this stylistic choice with savage awesomeness. Be prepared, Ballad of a Misspent Youth is solid from start to finish with plenty of songs that will get stuck on constant rotation. 

‘Girls On The East Side of Town’ could be a Thin Lizzy song. Even the vocals evoke Phil Lynott. The song is fresh and light and the guitar parts at the two-minute mark are a straight rip of ‘The Boys are Back in Town’ at the fifty-five second mark. So much of Tuk Smith and the Restless Hearts’ Ballad of a Misspent Youth sounds like the music you grew up to (if you are over, say, forty-five!). The brain goes, I know that! I’ve heard this before! This sounds like… It’s a great feeling as while listening to Ballad of a Misspent Youth because you are constantly surprised and that feeling is giddy. For example, ‘Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead’ has shades of Pretty Boy Floyd and Faster Pussycat. 

 ‘Say Goodbye’ is strait up Jersey. It’s Bon Jovi light. It’s like driving to the shore. It’s like eating worder ice. It’s stopping at a Wawa for their iced coffee. ‘Say Goodbye’ is infectiously happy, the music is. Ballad of a Misspent Youth is such a strong good old-fashioned rock n’ roll album, you will definitely play it a bajillion times. The album ends on a high note with ‘Forgive But Won’t Forget’. You are singing the chorus before the song even ends. It’s an earworm for sure. 

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts created a fresh, fun, thoroughly enjoyable album in Ballad of a Misspent Youth. It is a super solid album. It has serious throw-back vibes that are toe-tapping, head-bobbing, dancing in the aisles good. The homage honouring the legends of the past is appreciated.  

Buy the album here: https://www.tuksmithandtherestlesshearts.com/

7 / 10

VICTORIA ANDERSON