Aces Eights And Heartbreaks. The Shang Hi Los

D'Angora, Kopko, Harrington, Feirrera, Boston. That's all you need to know, really. With Aces Eights And Heartbreaks The Shang Hi Los has broken any promise they perhaps made with its debut album 'Kick It Like A Wicked Habit'. Aces Eights And Heartbreaks is the next level. This is pop, punk, garage rock (and roll) and Blondie all in one.

The single 'Takes One To Know One' is the absolute top where this sort of music is concerned. Everything I have heard over the past years coming from the principal songwriters Jen D'Angora and Dan Kopka is surpassed by this song. These local heros on the Boston scene have a whole career, perhaps two, behind them before I was introduced to this Boston scene by Rum Bar Records (and since Red On Red Records). A whole world of rock and roll opened itself to me since.

The single is one of the contenders for best single on the Boston scene, Aces Eights And Heartbreaks for the best album. The Shang Hi Los are extremely direct on its new record. In my opinion think Blondie with a far better singer, Jen D'Angora and songs that compete with the best Blondie songs. 'Plymouth Rock, 'Billy' and that single all would have stood out on 'Plastic Letters' and 'Parallel Lines'. Tthe other albums don't really count in my opinion. The surprise is that beyond these singles of past year, the band really goes full out in the final tracks of the album. Who needs Blondie?, from that moment onwards.

In The Shang Hi Los Dan Kopko takes the navigator's seat, serving the power of Jen D'Angora as a singer. Delivering the harmonies, the fiery guitar solos and all out support to make D'Angora truly shine. The solid background delivered by the bass of Lee Harrington and the drums played by Chuck Feirrara is rock solid. This is a hard rocking rhythm section alright. Take 'These Four Walls'. How tight can a song be? Well, listen to this song to find out. There's no escaping these four walls. No way!

All four musicians have their other projects. Look 'm up, I'm feeling lazy this Friday evening after a day full of meetings. The question is whether this is the band that could get them world fame? It doesn't get much better than this imho. The power of The Shang Hi Los is enormous and they have the songs to go with the power. The songwriting duo working together here soars to great heights. Icarus is nothing compared to them and their glue is sticking with ease. People of the world, take notice. With Aces Eights And Heartbreaks a great new punk pop album was presented to the world to enjoy.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to Aces Eights And Heartbreaks here:

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/aces-eights-heartbreaks