Golden Earring - Tits'n Ass - #131

Golden Earring - Tits'n Ass

I can't stand it, when Folks, who should have retired years ago, release a new Album, because they think they are still relevant. They might have been a marker thirty/fourty years ago, but the world has moved through space a couple of miles in the meantime and noone is waiting for old pensioners reliving the heydays of their youth. Really, these bands are a sad sight. Except the few who can pull it through and there's not a bad aftertaste in your mouth. Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Golden Earring, 2012 style.

This Dutch rockband was a favourite of mine, back in the days when "Moontan" was still not recorded and "Radar Love" a hit reserved for future generations. I remember quite well the double LP "Pop History" (still in my collection), that had almost been played to a seethrough state. Four sides and not a bad song in sight. Of course, "Eight Miles High" followed and Golden Earring were forever in my heart and mind. And then, after "Radar Love" I just lost track of this band. Not forgotten, because I still used to put their LPs on the turntable, but just kind of faded (at least where newer material was concerned). This has been rectified over the last couple of years, but I still have not all of their post "Moontan" output. But I still have time.

2012 and the band is offering a new album and I cringe. Suddenly I have a bad stomach and my head aches. I dare not listen to the album for fear of absolute trash. My nightmares about have been rockers  seem to come to life once more. And yet, I took the jump into the cold water (I admit, not without having read a few reviews about "Tits'n Ass) and I'm surprised, really taken by what I hear. The band rocks and is contemporary without clutching to days of fame past. This is a bunch of great songs, based on excellent songwriting and delivered by a smoking band.

Fourteen tracks available on CD (also as a limited edition with a DVD "The Making Of Tits'n Ass") and double vinyl. I haven't watched the DVD yet, but I can vouch for the audio. Normally I'm nursing my rocksolid prejudices (I'm mastering at it), but Golden Earring proved me wrong (at least in their case). Give the album a chance, even if you think Golden Earring should have been stuck in the seventies. You'll be surprised.

Cheers

Devon