POETS & PORNSTARS – Poets & Pornstars [CD Reissue]

As requested, here’s the self-titled debut album of POETS & PORNSTARS in its reissue version featuring a better mastering (originally released by themselves) and refreshed artwork.
A Los Angeles-based group in the classic Californian hard rock tradition of Mötley Crüe, GN’R, and early Van Halen, Poets & Pornstars specialize in three-chord stompers full of characters straight out of pulp fiction.
”Poets & Pornstars” premise when released this album in 2005 was “giving L.A. the Strip back and giving the Strip rock and roll back”. And certainly, at that time, they were one of the very few acts playing this ’80s glam / hard rock style in America.

Led by frontman, singer, guitarist, and writer Hal Ozsan, the band also includes lead guitarist Tom “Domo” Domaracki, keyboardist Randy Austin, bassist Sally Hope, and drummer Dave Plesh. Ozsan, who was born in Cyprus but raised in Essex, England, moved to L.A. when he was 19 years old.
After playing for a time in the short-lived band the Beautiful Spiral, he began committing some of his songs to four-track, and Poets & Pornstars were officially born when he drafted in some musician friends to help him with the project.

The initial version of the band didn’t quite click correctly, but in time the lineup for the recording of this album came together in fine fashion. The group released the self-titled Poets & Pornstars in 2005. This revamped version appeared on Adrenaline Records in 2007.
Fist track title speaks for itself; “Rock And Roll”, which opens up with the classic bluesy and gritty rock n’ roll sound making it clear that the band has taken a page out of classic ’86-88 Sunset Strip’s book. “Strange” seems poised to be Poets & Pornstars debut single with its driving beat and a chorus that, while not completely original, sounds has just enough variations that you can’t put your finger exactly on where you’ve heard it before.

“Monkey” is one of the more upbeat songs on the record with a catchy chorus and a sleazy attitude. At first listen “Spy Vs. Spy” may have that title simply because the riff that the song is build around is similar to the classic James Bond main song, but other than that is a solid rocker with a wide open chorus.
The debut from Poets & Pornstars has two ballads, “In The Dark” is the first and definitely the better of the two. Actually, it may be the best song on the record. From the tasteful guitar parts in the verses to the piano almost carrying the song to the fact that as you listen to the song you’re waiting for the band to erupt into full on rock n’ roll mode at any second it is truly a well crafted tune.

The band takes a dreamy power-pop turn on “Strange” before shifting back into no-frills rock mode with “My Devil’s Song”, sub-titled “Sexwinewomensongsugarmagicmoney”, and of course, it’s a dirty rock ‘n roller with some Little Caesar on it.

This type of music has been done before, and no doubt will be attempted many more times, but it’s the type of music that always stays fresh. Perhaps it is because music such as this doesn’t stray too far from the roots of rock itself, its simplicity burrows itself deep inside your soul.
Poets & Pornstars may not be able to bring rock back to the Strip single-handedly, but they are giving it a hell of a shot. They are still active, with plans of new material in a near future.
Highly Recommended

 

01 – Rock and Roll
02 – Get Your Kicks
03 – Strange
04 – My Devil’s Song
a.k.a (Sexwinewomensongsugarmagicmoney)
05 – In the Dark
06 – War on Gravity
07 – Monkey
08 – Partners in Crime
09 – Spy Vs. Spy
10 – Earthman

Hal Ozsan -lead vocals, guitar
Tom “Domo” Domaracki – lead guitar
Randy Austin – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
Sally Hope – bass, backing vocals
Dave Plesh – drums

 

BUY
www.amazon.com/Poets-Pornstars/dp/B000SM7R0G