The Gimmecaps

Recorded soon after the demise of John Stirratt's previous band, the Hilltops, this is a collection of Stirratt-penned tracks (except for Richard Thompson's "Streets of Paradise"). Recorded in 1991, they weren't released until six years later and show him going away from his more punk-influenced work with the Hilltops. The Gimmecaps' tracks are chunky rock mixed with plaintive folk. Stirratt puts a lot of feeling into his work and always sounds like he's having a good time, making the album an enjoyable listen. His one weakness lies in his vocals, though they grow on listeners after a while. In fact, the album stands up well under repeated listens, and many of the songs just beg to be sung along to, such as "My Time," "A Round," and "Doubt" (the standout track with a great electric guitar/organ groove riff).