Review: Montreal’s Pale Lips revive the classic sound of ’70s punk on ‘After Dark’

Pale Lips – credit: Lynn Poulin.

There was a sweet spot in the ’70s when old-fashioned rock n’ roll and the early onset of punk crossed paths, creating high octane acts like Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers and Canada’s own The Modernettes, bands that melded Chuck Berry riffs with punk rock attitude and armfuls of hooks. Montreal’s Pale Lips straddle both those worlds expertly on their sophomore LP, After Dark, delivering a timeless sounding record that wouldn’t seem out-of-place on a 70’s power-pop compilation, without ever coming off like a calculated revival act.

After Dark is a pure, classic rock n’ roll record, with immediately hummable guitar riffs that drive some truly catchy songwriting. “Johnny” features more wailing sax than anything off of Exile on Main Street, while “All My Baby Brought Back Was The Blues” speeds along with some killer harmonica playing.

Those RN’R elements, added to the band’s already potent breakneck power-pop sound, make for an exciting and eminently re-listenable album, with singer Jackie Blenkarn powerfully crooning and growling her way across the album’s 12 fun tracks.

Pale Lips are here to provide a good time, and After Dark is likely to get even the grumpiest punks at the back of the bar to cut a rug.

Pale Lips launch After Dark at Montreal’s Turbo Haus on Saturday, February 2, and at Ottawa’s Black Squirrel Books on Sunday, February 3. 

After Dark is available as of January 31st. Pre-orders for the vinyl edition of the album are available from God’s Candy Records (Canada), Spaghetty Town Records (USA), and Alien Snatch Records (Europe).