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For the people who know me it is no secret I am a huge Wildhearts fan. Ginger Wildheart is probably one of the most under appreciated musicians in the business today, not only as a songwriter but singer as well. The Wildhearts may be an acquired taste for some people, but seriously folks Ginger could sing Webster’s Dictionary and make it catchy and sing along. Needless to say I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Chutzpah which is the Wildhearts 9th studio album and the first original album since ’07’s self titled effort. Chutzpah is definitely the most cohesive release so far and also has the chance to be the biggest Wildhearts album to date. “The Jackson Whites” kicks everything off in grand fashion. This song is absolutely begging to be played live and one guaranteed to get the crowd involved with the sing along chorus and great rhythm. “Plastic Jebus” has an industrialized feel to it ala Rob Zombie until the vocals kick in and oddly enough the vocals and music melt together perfectly. “Plastic Jebus” should garner the Wildhearts all kinds of spins on radio along with “the Only One” which is a mid-tempo number that alternative radio is jumping all over these days. Dare I say “the Only One” could be a Top 40 hit? Quite possibly.

In the same vein as “the Jackson Whites” “John of Violence” is another song begging to be played live, great rhythm, great feel, and Ritch Battersby kills the drums on this song excellent job. With a chugging intro and great catchy foot stomping chorus  ”You Are Proof That Not All Women Are Insane” could quite possibly be the best song on “Chutzpah”. What Wildhearts album without at least one song where Ginger is raging on vocals? For Chutzpah, “Tim Smith” is that song heavy chugging bass lines from Scott Sorry, Ginger’s raging vocals classic Wildhearts right here. “You Took The Sunshine From New York” is one more song that should get plenty of spins on radio this is a catchy almost pop song that is great nonetheless and could give “Women Are Insane” a run for best song on this album. “Mazel Tov Cocktail” another great catchy pop oriented song from Ginger and the guys foot tapping sing along at its best. The title track “Chutzpah” closes out the album and it is another rager. Good luck trying to sing a long with this one.

Chutzpah is loaded with great songs from start to finish, absolutely no filler on this album. As great a job Ginger and the guys did with the songwriting and playing you have to give producer Jacob Hansen a hand for bringing it altogether and getting the very best out of the band on this release. The results? One of the best albums of the year and the best Wildhearts album yet.

Check out the Wildhearts at www.myspace.com/thewildhearts or www.thewildhearts.com

Rating: Out of 10

Track Listing:

1. The Jackson Whites
2. Plastic Jebus
3. The Only One
4. John Of Violence
5. You Are Proof That Not All Women Are Insane
6. Tim Smith
7. Low Energy Vortex
8. You Took The Sunshine From New York
9. Mazel Tov Cocktail
10. Chutzpah

The Wildhearts are:

Ginger – Vocals/Guitar
CJ – Vocals/Guitar
Scott Sorry – Vocals/Bass
Ritch Battersby – Drums