The Amps

Pacer (Elektra)
by Sheril Stanford

Amused by the lyrical double entendres in “Gigantic”? Do the lurching guitars and crazed exuberance of “Cannonball” make your toes tap? Then get a copy of The Amps‘ Pacer; you won’t be disappointed. A side project (or perhaps full-time substitute; can Kelley Deal get that smack addiction under control?) for Breeders (and ex-Pixies) Kim Deal and Jim MacPherson, The Amps are a charming blend of Deal’s sweet-girl vocals on top of drunken garage band vigor. Pacer is the essence of lo-fi simplicity and rough production. The tunes are edgy and abrasive, but sweetened by pop melodies. Lyrically, well, there’s lots of tunes about drinking. Standouts are “Empty Glasses” and “Full on Idle” – both fast, ferocious and all out – and the title track “Pacer” and “Tipp City” are catchy rockers destined for radio overexposure.