Some times good things happen to the bands that deserve them and such is the case with John Paul Keith and his One Four Fives out of Memphis, Tenn. Having recently signed with Fat Possum records imprint, Big Legal Mess Records, they are now set to release their debut LP, Spills & Thrills.

Building on a more Jerry Lee Lewis than Elvis 50’s rock and roll sound, John Paul and Co. seem hellbent on putting the roll back into rock-n-roll. The upbeat and innocent feel to this album is a welcome sound to my ears in these troubled times.

Personally, I wish this sound would start to see a revival. It’ll never come out of Nashvegas, though, and perhaps that’s why John Paul Keith packed his shit and left that town for the not-so-neon lights of Memphis a few years back. Hooking up with M. Edgar Stuart (bass), Kevin Cubbins (guitar), Al Gamble (piano) John Whittemore (pedal steel, and guitar) and John Argroves (drums), the band started writing original songs all the while earning the reputation of one of the fiercest bar bands in Memphis.

Now, thanks to Big Legal Mess, the rest of us get to hear what all the fuss is about. I’d say they’re worthy of all the hubbub, Spills & Thrills is Essential Listening.

John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives – Pure Cane Sugar
John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives – Smoke In A Bottle
John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives – If I Were You

John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives on myspace, Buy Spills & Thrills