Mod-A-Day: Len Price 3

I know I keep saying this, but this might be the best mod band playing today. The problem is that there are a lot of really great mod and mod-friendly bands currently recording and touring, and they're producing some absolutely smashing music. So, whichever band I happen to currently have permenantly streaming through my iPod is likely to be the one I'm going to say is the best.

With The Len Price 3 that isn't overreach, it's just a simple statement of fact about their sound. They refer to themselves as a garage band, but they are ever so much and more so. Their sound is raw with sharp edges to be sure, but the songs are just-so, cut and polished little diamonds with all the aural glitter of a tight combo that purrs together like a well oiled machine.

Their first full length release Chinese Burn rips along with 15 songs in 30 minutes. Back then The Len Price 3 wore its influences on its sleeves a bit more then, than it does now. Hints of The Kinks, The Yardbirds, and of course The Who are all prominent throughout. The driving drums, the crashing power chords, the band's overall love of R&B is ever present. But, in their second full length release, Rentacrowd, the sense of paying homage is less obvious. The band's sound is still in the vein of sixties garage rock, but now they've smoothed things out and woven all the pieces more tightly together allowing them to create their own sound. (It doesn't hurt to have top notch production values, either.) And what a sound -- bluesy soul wtih blaring harmonica, pulsating power pop, soulful rock and roll, and enough garage punk to scare away the timid masses.

While they defined themselves and carved out their own place in mod rock, the title track is a standout on the album, soundling exactly like it was penned by Townsend, driven by Moon and punched up by Daltry and Entwhistle. With it's "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere" attitude and vibe Rentacrowd could have been released by The Who in 1965 no doubt about it. But it wasn't, which is what makes The Len Price 3 a great band in its own right. The band has announced that it is take some time off to finish up their third album which is supposed to be out summer of '09.

The Len Price 3 -- Rentacrowd



The Len Price 3 - With Your Love