Sator – Return of the Barbie-Q Killers
Release Date: 29th July 2022
Label: Wild Kingdom
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Genre: Garage Rock, Punk Rock.
FFO: The Ramones, The Clash, The Undertones, The Backyard Babies.
Review By: Paul Franklin
Not to be confused with the sludge metal band of the same name, this Sator are 40-year veterans of the Swedish rock scene who have spent their time delivering uncomplicated, energised feel-good rock n’ roll.
In 1994, Sator released the cover album “Barbie-Q-Killers” where the band made their own versions of “obscure” punk songs. The album quickly became a favourite among the band’s fans, so Return of The Barbie-Q-Killers (ROTBQK) is the long-awaited sequel, which is the band’s tribute to bands like Redd Kross, Devo, Blitzkrieg Bop, The Undertones, The Boys, The Go-Go’s, The Young Lords, Darby Crash Band, The Normals and many more.
The first half a dozen tracks showcase the band’s ability to cover a range of styles, upping the garage punk attitude in Blitzkrieg Bop’s Get Out of My Way, imbuing Devo’s Shimmy Shake with some 50’s rock’n’roll, and then perfectly aping the smooth vocal harmonies of Redd Kross’s Pumps, Purse and a Pillbox Hat. An early highlight is their energetic cover of Katrina and the Waves’ Brown eyed Son (yep, the same ones behind Walking on Sunshine!)
With the introduction of some wicked harmonica, Rocket and Rose is another favourite. However, this kind of music works best when it’s delivered in short, sharp hits. Get in, do the business, and get out before anyone gets bored, and although ROTBQK is only around an hour long it has 24 tracks (5 more on the double vinyl!), and that is just too many. At the point where you feel you’re satisfied and have heard the best of what’s on offer, you realise you’re not even halfway through. The notion of ‘rinse and repeat’ increases as the track numbers get into the teens (track 15 is even called I’m Bored). As the band state, they play 3 Chord Rock and there are only so many ways you can put those together.
It’s a shame. With long-awaited albums there seems to be a conceit that the more you can cram in the better (looking at you Guns N Roses and Metallica!), whereas in reality, with some judicious trimming of the fat there could have been a great 10-12 track album.
(3 / 5)
