The Deathray Davies
A revivalist band with the name Davies in its moniker is begging for Kinks comparisons. The Deathray Davies have yet to produce anything as classic as “You Really Got Me,” but its fifth effort is a rockin’ good time. Adding bright horns to a mix that already includes the usual accoutrements plus a swinging Vox organ, the Texas quintet has never sounded sharper. Songs such as “Clock in Now” and “The Fall Fashions” have grooves that refuse to be denied, and frontman John Dufilho’s wry lyrics are icing on the cake. The lone drawback is that, as with any retro act, the Davies spend so much time looking back that they seem incapable of producing truly original music. That might not matter when a head-rushing single such as “Plan to Stay Awake” has your toes tapping happily, but the music can’t disguise a vague sense that there’s not much steak in the Davies’ hip-shaking sizzle.