The Prissteens

Scandal, Controversy & Romance (Almo)
by Scott Hefflon

If the West Coast is allowed the indulgence of The Donnas, a group of yummy young rockettes jamming Ramones-meets-Kiss (both from NY) style, surely the next logical step is The Prissteens‘ up-up of ’50s-style girl groups whose names usually started with “The” and ended with an “s.” New York glam rock (that’s glam rock, not glam metal, OK?) is back, and it stinks suspiciously of 40-year-old harmonies and neo-vintage guitar crunch. In other words, Scandal, Controversy & Romance is a much needed change of pace from the alternarock and powerpop-punk so prevalent these days. The songs are as catchy as (or perhaps more catchy) than most of the emotive posterboys that’re all over the radio, and The Prissteens strike a chord (albeit a chord distorted in a way Chuck Berry never foresaw) of memory: a time of good girls and bad girls, black leather jackets, souped up cars, milkshakes that don’t cost $5, and making out under the boardwalk. Kitsch and sexy presentation aside, The Prissteens couldn’t be a more welcome addition to radio play lists. Produced by Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, The Go-Go’s, Richard Hell, The Angels’ “My Boyfriend’s Back,” The Strangeloves’ “I Want Candy,” The McCoys’ “Hang on Sloopy”) and Jeffrey Lesser (Lou Reed), you get the feel for where this CD got its sound. Scandal, Controversy & Romance is brimming with bratty lyrics, sugary sweet voices, classic rock’n’roll/r& harmonies, and driving beats that’ll rev engines from sea to shining sea. There are also slow dance numbers similar to anything in Grease or “by” Sha-Na-Na (yeah, how many times will I get to reference them in this lifetime?). Sure, this all may sound campy and derivative, but it’s a lot of fun, and that’s all that should matter.
(360 North La Cienaga Los Angeles, CA 90048)