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That Petrol Emotion: Chemicrazy (Virgin)

Jon Young, Musician, May 1990

MAYBE OLD-fashioned guitar bands will follow dinosaurs and vinyl into extinction one of these days. In the meantime, give thanks for That Petrol Emotion, who've done their level best to keep the tradition healthy since the mid-'80s. Forever chasing the ultimate pop thrill, they've come damn close to hitting the jackpot with Chemicrazy. This blazing parade of (count 'em) 12 crackling tunes boasts boss melodies, rousing vocals by Steve Mack and, most of all, truckloads of manic guitar from Reamann O'Gormain and Undertones alumnus Damian O'Neill. Going bonkers within the confines of four-minute songs, these frisky lads show pronounced symptoms of the axe obsession that's gripped rock dudes from George Harrison to Steve Stevens throughout the ages.

Total word count of piece: 285

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