In the wake of 1994's
El Rancho Reverbo comes the
Kings of the Strip EP. It's more instrumental surf rock from Memphis, more tradition-minded maybe than
Man or Astro-man? but not without that added curl of punk spirit. Check the accelerated rave-up ending of "Incident on the 10th Floor," for example, or the furious reverb runs of "Hearse." The honking sax of "King Louie Stomp" is a great touch, as it moves
Impala out of the somewhat static surf rock holding area and into something resembling R&B. And when the organ drops in on the whitecap, watch out. Other highlights include the film noir atmosphere of "Nothing More Than Murder," and "In Transit"'s cool mix of rumble and twang. Its rocking underbody suggests that
Impala might not be lying about the
Kings of the Strip boast. ~ Johnny Loftus