Boyskout– School Of Etiquette
Label: Alive-Total Energy
Style: Alternative Pop, New Wave, Punk Revival
Released: 2004
My Grade: 4 stars
AMG: n/a
Sounds like: Souixie & The Banshees, Blondie, Sleater-Kinney, Elastica, The Cure


Sometimes the world needs a couple revival bands to remind us how cool the classics really are, or to show us that it can be classy to be antiquated in the modern world. Or maybe they are not trying to be a revival band, and they just have a really good, classic sound, maybe.

Entering the world is San Franciscan’s Boyskout, a (nearly) all girl riot into the roaring seventies new-wave scene. Without sounding like a throwback they have merged all the best elements into one tight, powerful, punch.

The album opens with the roaring “Jesse James” that tells the story of, you guessed it, Jesse James and his lover; the song carries the pop sensibilities of the best and catches every indie kid with a sense of euphoric energy. Quickly followed by “Secrets” which is possibly the best (and darkest) post-new wave blend known to the alternative music community.

Both “Back to Bed” and “Girl On Girl Action” not only hint at orientations and innuendos – they down right shout it.

Sure there are a few missteps and some songs tend to run a bit longer then they should, but overall this is an amazingly refreshing collection of androgynous post-new wave rock.
One of the best debuts since The Exploding Hearts.

Reviewed by: Samuel Aaron

Official Website: boyskout.com