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There’s no bringing Buddy Holly back, but fortunately for those in the greater New Hampshire area, The Atomic Raygun is channeling much of what made Holly an icon in his time. Brandishing a “rockabilly” billing, the “A Fistful of Raygun” LP provides a healthy handful of high-energy covers, throwing it back to everyone from The Beatles to Arthur Gunter. But strip away Atomic Raygun’s retro veneer, and you’re left some unconventionally charming compositions and strong technical backing, speaking far more to Atomic Raygun’s talent than the music being sourced. From the album’s high-energy opener “Baby, Let’s Play House” to its nicely updated “I Walk the Line” cover, “A Fistful of Raygun” is a well-paced throwback album with some inventive musicians at the helm.
