Boston alt-rock quartet Real Beaut follow-up their 2023 debut extended play `Gentle Messages` this month with a new four tracker `Politics`. The band, Keith Pierce (vocals), Andrew Doherty (guitar), Johnny Northrup (bass and vocals) and Benny Grotto (drums) comprise of the cream of the crop of musicians who`ve soundtracked the gritty and messy underbelly of Beantown these last few years.
This four tracker opens with `Politics on the Internet` which has a slightly ska-ish rock vibe and shares a robust and powerful invective about the dangers of social media and all the keyboard warriors that are there to cause mayhem. It kind of says in a restrained way that is it that important embracing the chaos while everywhere else is going to hell in a handcart. There are some sweet almost grungy guitar riffs on `Paying Attention` a number that relates to friendship and checking in on the people who really matter to you. A number to make you pause and reflect on what`s really important. The latter section has a guitar solo with intricately melodic chords that Scott Gorham would have been proud to have owned.
To me `Profane and Pedigree` had a kind of Alice in Chains meets The Lizard King Jim Morrison texture about it. The lyrics have a poetic slant and seem to relate to being transfixed or captivated by an enchanting female who draws you to her like a moth to a flame and should come with a danger warning included. The final cut `Islands`, just lets rip like a release of frustration. It may be about how that certain someone makes you feel and leaves you in a drunken hypnotic haze.
`Politics` is an all too brief taster of this band`s abilities both musically and lyrically and what I loved was that they weren`t caught up or hindered in one particular musical genre or style. Yeah, there`s some political rhetoric but it`s called `Politics` and to me it`s shared in a non-preachy manner and through the subtle use of the music. Remember these guys are the sons of forefathers who had a starring role in the American Revolution in the late 1700s.
Oh to be at the release party at the Middle East entertainment complex in Cambridge. It`s thirty years since I was last there and I know it`ll be a night to remember. But for those of us who can`t attend grab a copy of their `Politics` EP and PLAY LOUD!!!
Rating 9/10
