Whilst checking out the bands on offer this month to review, Barn Burner caught my attention. Their fuzzed out rock and roll was just the tonic I required to heed the snow-capped inability to go anywhere we were experiencing at the time. Formed a few years back in Montreal, Canada, ‘Bangers’ already received an initial release, but since Metal Blade Records took them on board, we have a remixed and remastered version of the album.
Kevin Keegan on vocals (not to be confused with the messiah of football/soccer players), sounds similar to Scott Hill, hence, I am initially drawn to many Fu Manchu similarities. In fact, put Barn Burner in a darkened room and get them to start playing, it could be construed as Fu Manchu playing with the total fuzzed out guitar tone being watered down just that little bit. Minimal riffs are all that are needed for this one, especially in the cracking opener ‘Holy Smokes’. Oozing with “West Coast” charisma and “desert rock” appeal, Barn Burner run through some simple but effective music, enough to captivate the mind and make you want to crack open another beer. In fact the riffing that does come through sometimes even reminds me of The Lord Weird Slough Feg in places, strange but true! Stoner heaven comes back to the front with groovy start to ‘Fast Woman’, you sometimes feel a bit of the Irish, i.e. Thin Lizzy, a great combination, especially displayed on ‘Tremors’. ‘Half Past Haggard’ really kicks out the jams and I am sometimes reminded of those Slo Burn chaps and the might of Mustasch.
Barn Burner keep the stoner sprit smoking at high noon, the camper vans and muscle cars can come out of the garage as the good times are back again. A great start to a year that promised nothing but cold weather, the warmth from those amps of the Barn Burner boys is something that will be in demand for a long time, one can hope anyway. This is a wicked stoned out release.
http://www.myspace.com/theinfamousbarnburner
http://www.metalblade.com/english/artists/barnburner/bio.php
http://metalblade.com/
