I thoroughly enjoyed this bands second album, simply titled “II” as it has a charismatic charm that I found very pleasing. With little advancement in album naming “III” is the bands newest offering and if anything the charm is even more dominant. I got the chance to see the band live during 2008 and surprised at the number of metalcore kids who had a firm and knowledgeable interest in the bands music. Maybe they do have some taste after all.

Opening with some night noises and banjo the rock vibe is dominant, though the harsh vocal style remains but tempered with very good clean sections that, thankfully, do not resort to that metalcore gay wailing variety. Categorising this band is difficult but it is safe to say that the band favours a dirty garage rock style with an air of sleaze that is ably shown on “Settling Scores By Burning Bridges”. The infectious groove that permeates this album seems to leak from everywhere as the track contains a good sleazy clean voice. I am tempted to say that the music has tones of Nashville Pussy and the riffing of AC/DC in places, especially on “Just A Shock”. However it must be remembered that the harsh vocal style is closer to Converge making this more extreme than the music demonstrates. “Step Up (I’m On It)” begins with sliding guitar akin to boozed up Skynyrd but quickly returns to semi-glam sleaze yet is spiced up with banjo picking making this a standout track. By far the mildest song is “Listen Close” with little sign of the harsh vocals focusing on creating a dirty buzzed up rock tune.

“Harvest Moon Hanging” brings some old school Motorhead to the proceedings, as by now I prefer the cleaner voices more than the sharp screaming variety. “Oh Lonely Grave” begins very similar to “II’s” “Tale Of The Runaways” but eventually favours heavier angle that brought Metallica’s “Unforgiven” song to mind. A cracking riff change is added with some double bass momentarily as the pace drops to an excellent sleaze beat. Closing the album is a very tearful ditty titled “The End Is Here… The End Is Beautiful”. Its lingering yet calming sadness makes you feel like you’re on a long drive in the middle night having broke up from your girlfriend.

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Martin Harris

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