"Twist City" is the first album from New Mystery Girl, a band project envisioned by Chrissy Flatt and abetted by a crew of like minded AUstin, TX rock'n'rollers. Ms. Flatt, known for her previous works "WIngs of a Butterfly" and "Walk With Kings", comes out swinging with twelve fresh original songs bringing together influences from 60's girl groups and British invasion pioneers to 70's glam and early punk. Longtime cohorts Eric Hisaw (guitar) and Ron Flynt (20/20, bass & keyboards) show up on most tracks alongside drummer Lisa Pankratz and Freddie Steady Krc. Guitarist Eve Monsees lends her stylish licks to a pair of songs and chimes in with the majority of the harmony vocals. Brian Standefer (Alejandro Escovedo, Patti Griffin) adds his atmospheric cello to a trio of more meditative numbers. At the center of it all are Chrissy's voice, guitar and words.
The album kicks off with "Drop Dead Gorgeous" a romantic ride through the musical turf of Joe Strummer and Joan Jett, then gets Stonesy tough with the kiss-off crunch of "Dangerous Lines". "Pirate Radio" shuffles into British waters paying tribute more to the spirit of discovery than the rock'n'roll icons it name checks, while "South Pacific Stars" soars into the sunset. "Staring Down" rides a Yardbird meets Bonanza groove into the Bowie-esque dreamland of "Echoes On the Airwaves". Side two comes on strong with a trio of aggressive tunes, the punk-ish social commentary of "Heard It All Before", the stalker garage stomp of "Twist City" and the rock-a-billy rave-up ode to a reformed wallflower "Sally's Rumble". "Dandelion Roars" quiets down musically while celebrating a free spirited rounder. The philosophical "Gather All the Roses" takes a hypnotic trip to VU territory before finishing up with the beauty of "Ocean & Moon", a waltz time declaration of love colored with some shimmering pedal steel guitar.
Put your boots on a get ready for a groovy ride ; )
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