The Kats --ah, the Nu Kats have been playing the club scene in L.A. for a long time since their move from Minneapolis. Their work has resulted in an impressively large, enthusiastic following and a reputation as a vigorously enjoyable live group. The band may turn some heads with this release. "Plastic Facts" is a ten-inch, five-song EP. The songs, mostly new, have been carefully prepared with a maximum amount of catchiness. There's tunefulness and a genuine youthfulness in Freddy Moore's songs, which sound much simpler than they really are because the band plays them so smoothly.

Producer Larry Lee (vocalist for The Scooters) took this tightness, disassembled, and reassembled it piece by piece. The record was recorded one musician at a time a la Ken Scott. Unlike many records made this way, the EP retains a live feel.

"World All Alone" opens the effort with a surprising, somber tone of isolated freedom as Moore becomes the sole survivor (along with his girl) of the world's end. The record quickly jumps to the up tempo energy of "Busy Body," which features Bobbyzio Moore's rocking sax, as does "I Was A Teenage Shoplifter." The former is loaded with punchy harmonies and handclaps. The mix is clear and has a lot of presence, keeping everything distinct.

"It's Not A Rumor" has the most interesting arrangement, as lots of interchanging parts build in this steady rocker. Dennis Peters does some interesting harmonies and chording on his eight-string bass that are commendable. Lots of percussion, led by drummer Al Galles , gives life to the tried-but-true Bo Diddley beat of "Out Of The Combat Zone." A raunchy blues tempo drives through "Shoplifter," sung at full throttle by Freddy.

The songs are aimed at the listening public, not the critics or musicians, and they hit their target without scrimping on solid musicianship and writing, not mention a refreshing energy in the technical production. Hey, it's a hit!

--Bruce Duff