The Doughboys – Act Your Rage (RAM Records) When New Jersey quintet The Doughboys got back together in 2000, after a 30-year break, not many would have guessed they’d still be at it a decade later. Obviously they’re having a lot of fun. Their second record since reforming, Act Your Rage is picking up considerable plaudits in the USA, and after a couple of spins, it’s easy to understand why. Their no-nonsense, honest-to-goodness garage rock sounds as authentic now as it must have done when they were ripping up the New Jersey live circuit back at the end of the 1960s. Today, their sound owes much to the first wave Brit invasion bands, especially the Stones, Stax soul shouters, classic punk and Bomp style power pop. They’d also have sounded perfectly at home on a mid-‘70s bill with Dr. Feelgood, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Ducks Deluxe, The Pirates, etc. You get the idea. Considering this is a 16 track, hour long garage blast from start to finish, it never outstays its welcome, which must be down to the quality of the songs – three of the five members write – and the enthusiasm with which they apply themselves to the task. It’s almost pointless talking about standout tracks, though I should mention “I’m Not Your Man”, which Little Steven has declared the coolest song in the world. I’m not usually the confrontational type but there are another six or seven songs here that are just as good. www.myspace.com/thedoughboysnj Rob F. The Doughboys – Break Out Next