SINGLE REVIEW: ROSE CARLEO BAND 'LINE EM UP'

21 Oct 2023

Independent
October 2023
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar at 100% Rock Magazine
95%

It’s actually harder to review a new release when you know the artist, and are an acknowledged fan thereof, so in the interests of full disclosure, let’s get this out of the way: I’m an unabashed fan of Rose Carleo and her band and have been friends with them for some years now; The cover of this single release is adapted from a photo of them I took a few years ago; This may be the best new hard rock song I’ve heard this year; and no, I’m not just saying that because I like them and they’re my mates.

Line ‘Em Up isn’t just a great Oz Rock song – it’s a great rock n’ roll song, no matter where it’s from, pure n’ simple.

It starts with an insistent Mick Adkins riff and RCB’s secret weapon: the propulsive rhythm section of Mick O’Shea and Steve King.

Then there’s Carleo’s vocals: melted honey dripping through burnt charcoal, simultaneously restrained and impassioned, as emotive as the lovechild of Bon Scott and Janis Joplin on their very own highways to hell, and as powerful as Tina Turner rollin’ down the river.

Talking of powerful, O’Shea and King never drop their guard for a second – this ain’t no ballad, folks. Line ‘Em Up hurtles full throttle from start to finish like a jet-propelled sprint car in a rush for the finish line, and it remains lengths ahead of the pack from straight out of the gates, right up until it’s cracking open the big bottle of bubbly on the winner’s podium.

If you like your rock n’ roll throaty, full flavoured and spicy, shaking a leg and working up a sweat, tune up your air guitar and yep – line those drinks up – because you’ve just found your new favourite.

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