The Bullets’ ‘Go Crazy Get Wild’ is a terrific record. Indeed, I say with some confidence that it is their best record to date. Composed entirely of original material and coming just a year after ‘Ain’t Too Late To Bop’, this is a testament to the prolific song-writing of the band.

‘The Shaker’, the opening track, borrows heavily from Johnny Burnette’s ‘Train Kept A Rollin’’ the guitar work is spot on.

‘Back Off Baby’ features some lovely guitar playing, it is a cool slice of rockabilly and has a very nice melody to it.

‘Knock Me Out’ begins with a shuffle played on the floor tom, the guitar them comes in with a cool riff and a very good groove. Lyrically the song is a bit limited.

‘Go Crazy Get Wild’ is an up-tempo number with terrific lead guitar work that drives the song along with an insistent rhythm played on the floor tom and ride cymbal.

‘Drinks After Sun Down’ borrows from ‘Tequila’ it grooves long nicely with rather splendid baritone vocals from Brett Waters.

‘You Belong To Me’ has a western feel to it and features what I would consider to be Brett’s best vocal to date.

‘The Girls On Fire’ features a nice chord-based riff, which is a little unusual for Mr. Waters, but it is an out and out rocker and something of a corker.

‘Hot Dang’ is fast paced rocker with a prominent and very effective bass player. The guitar, drums, bass and vocals are all absolutely top drawer.

‘Fool Around With Me’ features very good dynamics, plenty of tension and a terrific guitar solo.

‘Chicago Blue’ begins, appropriately, with a Chuck Berry derived riff, the song is a super tour through the city’s musical heritage.

‘I’m Gone’ is a wonderful slice on rockabilly with some great slap bass playing and lovely guitar work. In fact, I think that it is worth saying that Mr. Waters has really raised his game on this record as far as guitar playing in concerned – He has always been good, but this is excellent.

‘Breakin’ All The Rules’ is an up-tempo rocker.

‘Hoodoo Voodoo Bop’ has the flavour of Mickey Gee to the guitar part which, in my book, is a very good thing. The song, however, is certainly not my favourite on the album. 

‘With This Song’ is a memorable one with some terrific guitar playing as well as some steel, this is a ballad and it is very nicely done indeed!

Taken as a whole, this is the Bullets’ best album. Whilst previous albums have shone because of the guitar playing this album comes into its own owing to the cohesiveness of the songs, they are really well-worked out and memorable in terms of melody. Lyrically, there is no danger of a Nobel prize, but they work. Moreover, as I have already said the guitar-playing on this album is absolutely first rate, as is the drumming and bass playing. I recommend this unreservedly.

Nick Kemp

Buy a copy of Go Crazy! Get Wild! from Western Star Records