Album Review:

The title and artist are admittedly ambiguous on this release. Some sources do credit this album to the Deuce Coupes and the title as 'The Shut Downs.' If one were to look at other Crown Hot Rod releases however, it becomes apparent that The Shut Downs was intended to be the artist. On all other other releases such as Cycle Psychos, Checkered Flag, and Hot Rod Alley, the artist is listed below the title on the labels.

With My Baby' is the same backing track and melody as Checkered Flag's 'Runnin' Second.' '36 Window Coupe' is a passable number. 'Two Fastest Cars' is a jazz-R&B recount of a street race in 'Hot Rod Lincoln' / 'Shut Down' fashion. The album's first instrumental, 'Starter's Nightmare,' is played in Cole’s style with percussive rhythm guitar and his signature squeals. 'Oil on the Track' is rather a rather tame tune. 'Body by Fisher' (sic Fischer') is an odd bluesy description of a car...or is it a girl? It's not always clear.... 'Turn Her On, Buddy' is an uninspired vocal number detailing the anticipation of going dragging Saturday. The 1-minute 23-second 'Goin', Goin', Gone' is a truly weird amalgamation of what I assume are outtakes from other sessions. To even call this a 'song' is a stretch. 'Goggles Got A Hole in It' has Cole leaning again on his rising chromatic scale to fill space between sax riffs. 'Deuce Coupes' is little more than a jam with car sounds inserted into the breaks.

Musically, The Deuce Coupes is definitely the least interesting of all the Crown hot rod releases. There's barely enough material here to make one full album. Still, it’s a fun album to own for the cover and a few passable surf moments scattered about.