Radio Moscow

Although some describe them as psychedelic blues rock, the Ames, IA, duo Radio Moscow is more of a throwback to the classic rock of the '70s. Their story is a true being in the right place at the right time tale, as the band's singer/guitarist/drummer, Parker Griggs, managed to get a demo tape into the hands of the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach after a gig. Auerbach liked the demo so much, he invited Griggs and bassist Luke McDuff to his home studio in Akron, OH, and produced their 2007 self-titled debut. The end result calls on several recognizable hits/bands of yesteryear. Highlights include Lucky Dutch, which contains a beefy riff that's reminiscent of Ram Jam's Black Betty, and Lickskillet begins as an acoustic blues ditty, before transforming into an Allman Brothers-esque dual-guitar fest (complete with slide guitar), while both Mistreating Queen and Whatever Happened are muscular riff rock a la the Jeff Beck Group. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide