Rock'n'Reel January 2001 ( UK)

Radiotones– Whiskey’d Up

Radiotones, the Perthshire blues trio, create a compelling sound on their second album, Whiskey'd Up, rooted in the blues and propelled by frontman Dave Arcari's National steel riffing, Jim Harcus's harp blasts and Adrian Paterson's sturdy bass lines.

The real defining sound, though, is Arcari's roughly hewn vocal tones – the kind you either love or hate. This reviewer tended to the former, for his gutsy irreverance and ferocious delivery combines a punk/alt.country sensibility with lean blues energy.

It's a dirty, mean old sound which fits neither into the purist's version of country blues nor that of the heavy metal rock'n'roller's which so often seems to pass for the real thing hese days, at least in some circles.

This is smart and sassy and most recommended.